Michael Purse murder: Convicted killer Mark-Bry Leedham tells court he will not surrender the ‘moral high ground’ and accept his guilt

A convicted murderer has doubled down after his trial, telling his victim’s family he has “the moral high ground” and will never accept his trial’s verdict.

A smug, scoffing coward who murdered a defenceless man has told a court he would rather “die in jail with honour” than surrender the “moral high ground” and accept its guilty verdict.

In the Supreme Court on Monday, Mark-Bry Leedham sat with his arms folded, rolling his eyes, scoffing and smirking as Michael Purse’s family gave their victim impact statements.

They denounced his “smug actions and attitudes” as demonstrative of a complete lack of remorse – and David Moen, for Leedham, said that was indeed the case.

“He explains that lack of contrition and remorse as being (because) he was found guilty of a crime he says he did not commit,” he said.

“He says he grew up with morals, a belief in his convictions (and) going to bed knowing he holds the moral high ground.

“He says he is prepared to die in jail with honour.”

Murdered man Michael Purse.

Mr Purse’s father Jeffrey Purse speaks outside the Supreme Court on Monday. Picture: Sean Fewster

Outside court, Mr Purse’s father Jeffrey said Leedham was “a cruel, evil person” who had no honour to safeguard.

“I find it quite ironic that the coward Leedham said he took the moral high ground in this situation … he’s a person who does not belong in society,” he said.

“The way he acted in court during the trial, and his actions today – looking at us, smirking at us – shows that he doesn’t have any moral high ground at all.

“It shows what type of person he really is.”

In November, Leedham, 29, was found guilty at trial of having murdered Mr Purse in February 2019 – his body has never been recovered.

Prosecutors had alleged Mr Purse, who was unable to pay a drug debt, was lured to a unit in Kilburn where he was bound, repeatedly struck, stabbed and jumped upon.

SA Police searching along Shepherds Corner Road for the remains of Mr Purse, who is believed to have been buried in a shallow grave. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Two other men, Edwin James Hinrichsen and David Graham Young, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and are serving 11-year prison terms.

In court on Monday, Mr Purse’s family paid tribute to his kindness and generosity, and mourned his turn to drugs in the wake of post-surgical painkiller dependency.

Leedham smirked as they dubbed him a “small, insignificant coward” who had “behaved disgustingly” by directing “comments and jibes” toward them during the trial.

When Mr Purse’s brother, Andrew, said his family “does not get to have any peace”, Leedham yawned loudly.

Mr Moen asked Leedham not be punished over Mr Purse’s missing body, saying he played no role in its disposal and “has no information” as to where it might be located.

Prosecutors urged the court to reject that request, saying Leedham’s actions were at the higher end of the scale of seriousness for such a crime.

Auxiliary Justice Kevin Nicholson remanded Leedham in custody for sentencing next month.