Marco Yandle pleads guilty to assisting an offender over the alleged Kudla shed execution murder of Steven Murphy

A former junior footballer is no longer charged with murder – but now faces jail for having witnessed an execution and helping the alleged killer avoid arrest.

Police located the body of missing man Steven Murphy during a search of a property at Kudla, south of Gawler. Picture: 7NEWS

A former junior footballer has avoided a possible life sentence but now faces 10 years’ jail, having admitted assisting in the alleged execution-style murder of a defenceless man.

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Marco Yandle pleaded guilty to assisting in the alleged murder of Steven Murphy at Kudla last year.

He admitted that, between February 18 and April 23 last year, he “secreted items belonging to” Mr Murphy “knowing or believing” his father, Keith, “had committed an offence, namely murder”.

He further admitted doing so “with the intention of assisting” Keith “to escape apprehension”.

As a result, prosecutors withdrew the murder charge originally filed against Marco – however, he still faces a hefty maximum penalty.

Under state law, a person who assists in an offence that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment – as murder does – is liable to be jailed for a maximum of 10 years.

The case against Keith, meanwhile, was adjourned for three weeks to permit further negotiations between prosecution and defence counsel.

Keith Yandle. Picture: 7NEWS

Marco Yandle. Picture: Facebook

Counsel for Keith foreshadowed a resolution to the matter without a trial, but said they required more time to “finalise some factual issues surrounding the matter”.

That prompted Stephen Ey, for Marco, to ask his client be released on home detention bail ahead of sentencing.

Prosecutors opposed that move, saying the change in charge in no way reduced the seriousness of Marco’s conduct.

They said CCTV footage of the incident showed Marco armed with a baseball bat, and Keith with a firearm, as they entered the shed – situated 60m from their house.

They said Mr Murphy – who had been sleeping rough in the area to be near his children – was forced at gunpoint to stand up and empty his pockets of all his possessions.

Keith, they said, fired two shots at him from a distance of less than two metres.

“Marco went with his father into the shed to confront the deceased, he witnessed his father shoot and kill the deceased,” they said.

“He was fully aware of what had occurred in the shed and then he’s gone about doing acts to assist his father in escaping apprehension.

“He’s secreted items belonging to the deceased, hidden a torch and lied to police when he was first spoken to.”

Alleged murder victim Steven Murphy has been remembered as a “beautiful dad” who would do anything for his two sons. Picture: Supplied

Keith, 46, and Marco, 20, were arrested just days after Mr Murphy’s body was found in a 15m by 15m bunker.

Prosecutors have alleged Keith fired the fatal shots while Marco shone a torch on Mr Murphy, and that the incident was captured on CCTV.

Prosecutors subsequently seized control of the 2ha property at Kudla owned by Keith and his wife, Kathy – there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Mrs Yandle.

On Tuesday, Mr Ey said there was no reason for Marco to remain in custody.

“The co-accused is pleading guilty, there’s no risk of him doing anything that might contaminate the prosecution case and he’s been in custody for 9 1/2 months,” he said.

“He’s entitled to a 35 per cent discount, he has a supportive family and they can serve as guarantors and lodge cash sureties.”

The state’s chief magistrate, Judge Mary-Louise Hribal, disagreed and declined to consider home detention, instead remanding Marco in custody.

She ordered he return to court alongside his father next month, when Keith will be required to enter his pleas.