Benjamin Anthony Shuman found not guilty of murdering Yatala prison cellmate due to mental incompetence

The son of a family that owns an iconic Adelaide business has been found not guilty of murdering his prison cellmate, known for his “angel and demon” blog.

A Yatala prisoner accused of murdering his “angel and demon” cellmate has been found not guilty, with a court ruling his bipolar disorder made him too “mentally incompetent” to commit the crime.

Benjamin Anthony Shuman, 34, faced the Supreme Court on Monday via video link after stomping on, punching and kicking Jason Douglas Wright, 52, to death inside Yatala Labour Prison in 2023.

Instead, Justice Anne Bampton declared Mr Shuman, of Oaklands Park, was not of mental competence at the time of the offending and was now “liable to supervision” – understood to be in James Nash House, a closed psychiatric facility.

Mr Shuman has been found not guilty of murder. Picture: Facebook.

He is liable for supervision. Picture: Facebook.

“Mr Shuman has a mental impairment, namely bipolar disorder,” Justice Bampton said.

“Pursuant to Section 269 … I record a finding that Mr Shuman was mentally incompetent to commit the offence of murder.”

Mr Wright was found unresponsive in the pair’s cell at 5.35pm in E-Division, but was declared dead at the scene after paramedics attempted to revive him.

Mr Wright was found unresponsive in his prison cell. Picture: Supplied

He was pronounced dead at the scene. Picture: Supplied

Mr Shuman was removed from the prison and was being held under an inpatient order.

Both men were on remand and were classified as “medium-security” inmates at the time of the alleged murder.

Mr Shuman is the son of Tony and Lidija Shuman, who own Adelaide’s iconic Popeye boat fleet that tour up and down the River Torrens.

Court records show Mr Wright was charged with assault on December 7, 2022, at Noarlunga Centre.

It is understood he missed a court appearance and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

After being arrested Mr Wright was remanded in custody and scheduled to appear in court a few weeks later but was killed.

After his death, Mr Wright’s wild rantings on his blog came to light – including troubling online messages about terrorist cults, evil demons and the illuminati.

“I am nephilim – a hybrid of angel and demon,” Mr Wright wrote in his blog, later adding, “Now I will explain the main way evil spirits gain possession over us”.

Mr Shuman will return to court in May for a limiting term of supervision to be set.