Two men charged over murder of Benn Schinkel at Capricornia Correctional Centre

Two men have been charged with the murder of a 31-year-old man who died after suffering injuries in a central Queensland prison.

Benn Schinkel died after he was found unresponsive in the Capricornia Correctional Centre’s activities building.

Two men have been charged with the murder of 31-year-old Benn Schinkel who died after suffering fatal injuries in a Queensland prison last year.

Mr Schinkel had been in custody at the Capricornia Correctional Centre near Rockhampton for less than a month when he was found unresponsive in the facility’s activities building on October 22.

He died in hospital the next day.

He was serving a prison term for a dangerous driving incident committed at Bajool in December 2021, in which he suffered ongoing injuries that caused him to walk with a limp. No-one else was injured in the incident.

Mr Schinkel would have been eligible for parole in January 2023.

Benn Schinkel died on October 22, 2022.

In October this year, detectives issued an appeal for public assistance for information relating to his death.

At the time, Mr Schinkel’s father Michael said his son was loving, caring and would do anything for his mates and family, and is missed by many people.

“We really are appealing to anybody out there if they could come forward to help us solve Benn’s murder, it’s broken our family, and we need to have justice,” Mr Schinkel said.

“So please if anybody out there has information that could help us, please come forward.”

Two men have since been charged with his murder and their cases were mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

Kenneth Leigh James, 25, and Leonard James Stanley, 36, are each charged with one count of murder and one count of extortion of a demand with intent to gain benefit with threat of detriment.

The two were not required to appear in the dock.

Stanley’s case was adjourned to January 22 and James’ case was adjourned to December 11.

During the appeal for information, Correctional Services Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Greg Bishop said investigators were hopeful someone would come forward with the information they need to provide Mr Schinkel’s family with answers.

“Everyone in custody has the right to do their time, to go home to their families and move on with their lives,” he said.