One of two men accused of murdering a fellow prisoner has told a magistrate he killed the victim because he was a child sex offender.
Shannon Daniel Norgate, 28, was found unresponsive with significant injuries from an assault at Maryborough Correctional Centre, north of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on November 26.
He died in hospital on December 1.
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Norgate had been jailed in 2020 for sexually abusing young boys in a shopping centre toilet block.
Fellow prisoners Bodhi James Barry Johnson, 29 and Isaac James Martin, 31, were both charged with murder on Wednesday.
In a brief Brisbane Magistrates Court appearance on Thursday, Martin said he killed Norgate after being told he faced a mandatory life sentence if found guilty for murder.
“That’s right, Your Honour. I killed old mate because he was a child molester. I’m not denying anything. I killed him,” he said.
Martin appeared via videolink wearing a white prison-issue smock and sporting a beard.
Magistrate Aaron Simpson told Martin he should seek legal representation.
“Killing a person does not necessarily mean it’s murder. There are different levels of killing a person. A lawyer might be able to help you get the best result if that’s the case,” Mr Simpson said.
Martin had earlier said he had not applied for legal representations because he had not bothered to do it.
“I’m representing myself, mate,” Martin said.
“It’s a murder charge,” Mr Simpson said.
“All good,” Martin said.
Martin was remanded in custody for his case to return to court on March 9.
He was previously sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment in 2023 for unlawful striking causing the death of fellow inmate Zlatko Sikorsky, who was awaiting trial for the murder of 16-year-old Larissa Beilby.
Johnson also appeared briefly via videolink wearing a prison-issue green T-shirt.
He was applying for legal representation and was now in custody at Woodford Correctional Centre, north of Brisbane, Mr Simpson heard.
Johnson was remanded in custody for his case to return to court on March 9.
He had been eligible to apply for parole next month while serving a sentence for car theft and arson.
