Peter Hillier Eyre Peninsula murder trial called off as Adam Troy Bennett pleads guilty to manslaughter
A murder trial has reached an early, and shocking, conclusion after the key witness’s evidence did not match the allegations.
Police & Courts
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The trial over the alleged Eyre Peninsula murder of Peter Hillier has been called off – and the accused has confessed to a lesser charge – after the key witness’s evidence fell short.
On Friday, and what was supposed to be the fifth day of his Supreme Court murder trial, Adam Troy Bennett instead pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
In response, prosecutors – who had alleged he repeatedly punched Mr Hillier to death in a drunken rage – withdrew the charge of murder.
The Advertiser understands the 11th-hour move comes after the alleged eyewitness to the incident, gallery owner Ronald Miller, gave sworn evidence that did not match the allegations made by prosecutors.
They had alleged Bennett had “pressed or shoved” a piece of rock into Mr Hillier’s face and then “punched him hard to the head, and repeatedly”.
In his evidence, however, Mr Miller described only the use of the rock, which he said he “kicked out of” Bennett’s hands.
The Advertiser further understands Bennett offered to plead guilty to manslaughter months prior to the commencement of the trial.
Bennett, 44, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Hillier, 64, at a block of land behind Dusty’s Art Gallery at Poochera, on the Eyre Peninsula, in May 2022.
Prosecutors alleged he had bashed Mr Hillier to death “in a drunken rage” after they had been drinking with Mr Miller, who owned the property, for several hours.
They further alleged Bennett told a “spectacular lie”, telling a triple-0 operator Mr Hillier had “jumped out” of a car and “run himself over”.
In his evidence, Mr Miller said he had been in the process of selling the business and the land to the duo before Bennett lashed out at Mr Hillier.
He said Mr Hillier was “groaning badly” after Bennett “ground” a rock into his face while sitting on top of him.
On Friday, David Moen, for Bennett, said there were “no factual disputes” between prosecution and defence as a result of the pleas.
He asked the court for time to obtain a specialist’s report about Bennett’s “alcohol abuse disorder”.
Patrick Hill, prosecuting, agreed that would be an important consideration in sentencing.
Justice Sandi McDonald, who had been hearing the trial in the absence of a jury, remanded Bennett in custody until November.
“Given everything that has transpired in this matter, I think this resolution is very sensible for all parties,” she said.
Outside court, Mr Moen said Bennett wanted to extend an apology to Mr Hillier’s family, and would do so at the submissions hearing.
Mr Hillier’s family declined to comment.
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