Danielle Sheryl Erica Beutel guilty of Colin Scott Hastie’s death

A torture charge has been dropped as a Maleny woman pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a much-loved hinterland local “Magik Col”. Read the full story:

A Maleny woman has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a much-loved local legend who died after he was found slumped outside his Maleny home.

Danielle Sheryl Erica Beutel remained emotionless when she pleaded guilty on February 18, 2022 to killing Colin Scott Hastie on April 16, 2019 in Maleny.

“I enter a plea of guilty to manslaughter,” Beutel said.

Police previously disclosed a teenage boy delivering pamphlets found the 63-year-old slumped outside his home before he later died at the Maleny Hospital.

Mr Hastie, fondly known as “Magik Col”, was remembered by Maleny resident Sabine Wienand as the “Maleny angel”.

“He touched so many people,” she said.

“Whenever I saw him in town he would stop and have chat.

“He was such a wonderful man who never said a bad thing about anyone.

“He would always say things to me like ‘keep on smiling beautiful’ or ’keep on shining a light’.

Colin "Magik" Hastie was remembered as a "beautiful soul" who "wouldn't hurt a fly". Picture: Supplied.

Beutel appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court via video link on Friday for three charges including, manslaughter, torture and dangerously operating a vehicle.

The court heard police, who initially alleged Beutel tortured Mr Hastie leading up to his death, dropped the torture charge.

“The prosecution will be offering no evidence,” Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris said.

Sergeant Grigoris asked for the manslaughter charge to be committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist handed Beutel’s manslaughter charge to the Supreme Court.

A charge of dangerous operation of a vehicle was adjourned.