Cooper Benny, 19, charged with murdering Scot Phillips outside Seaton home last month
A secrecy order hiding the identity of a man who allegedly lured a 19-year-old out of his home before stabbing him to death has been lifted.
Police & Courts
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The identity of the man who allegedly lured Scot Phillips out of his Seaton home late at night before stabbing him to death can now be revealed.
Mr Phillips, 19, was allegedly stabbed to death with a large knife outside of his Carey Ave home, in Seaton, at around 10.20pm on September 10.
Cooper Geoffrey Benny, 19 of Hectorville, was arrested following the attack and charged with weapons and drug offences. After his first court appearance, he was charged with murdering Mr Phillips.
During his court appearance for the murder charge, prosecutors successfully applied for Mr Benny’s identity to be kept a secret to allow for further investigations and witness interviews to take place.
But on Monday morning, the court revoked that order, allowing media to publish the alleged killer’s identity for the first time.
Police described the attack as pre-planned, alleging that Mr Phillips was attacked after the power was cut to his home and he went outside to investigate.
They further allege Mr Benny and Mr Phillips were known to each other and there is no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved.
Mr Phillips had just returned from the Seaton Hotel with his housemate and his friend’s girlfriend when the attack occurred, police said.
An extensive search of the crime scene following the attack uncovered meat cleavers, knives and glass but it was unclear whether any of the items were linked to the incident.
In documents filed with the court, police allege Mr Benny had two “pump action shotguns” in his possession, as well as ammunition, without a licence.
They also allege he was trafficking in a large commercial quantity of alprazolam, and failed or refused to answer police questions.
Mr Benny will return to court in February for the firearms and drugs charges, but his next appearance for the murder charge was adjourned until November, 2025.
He will remain in custody.
Mr Phillips was described as being a “loving and a kind boy” by his older sister.
“He just wanted to be loved and he wanted a family,” Kerrie Rigney previously told The Advertiser.
Ms Rigney said her brother had started to get into trouble at age 14 and had once lived in a group home.
“He wasn’t meant for that world, he was too nice,” she said.
“It introduced him to people he shouldn’t have known.
“He wasn’t a gangster, like some of the photos look.
“He loved animals. He loved his dog, that dog was his pride and joy.”