Justin Burton tells court alleged murder of police officer’s son Lewis Parkin on Hindley St is ‘not admitted’

A man accused of stabbing a police officer’s son to death inside a Hindley St hostel says the charge is “not admitted”.

A man charged with stabbing a police officer’s son to death inside a Hindley St backpacker’s hostel has told a court the allegations are “not admitted”.

Justin Duane Burton, 43, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with murder – after he allegedly inflicted fatal injuries to Lewis Parkin, 23, in November last year.

Mr Burton, of St Mary’s, was due to enter pleas in front of Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal but the matter was adjourned after both defence counsel and prosecution told the court negotiations had started.

Counsel for Mr Burton said, at this stage, the murder charge laid against his client was “not admitted” to.

Lewis Parkin died following the incident. Picture: Supplied

Mr Parkin was the son of an SA police officer. Picture: Supplied

In May, the identity of Mr Parkin’s alleged killer was revealed following the lifting of suppression order against Mr Burton.

Police were called to an accommodation complex on Hindley St just before 8pm on Friday, November 8, after reports a person had been stabbed.

Mr Parkin was seriously injured, with witnesses describing him as “not responding” before he was rushed to hospital where he died a short time later.

The Advertiser understands the pair were known to each other – both having stayed at the same hostel for a number of nights – before police allege Mr Burton launched a violent attack on Mr Parkin.

On Thursday, Chief Magistrate Hribal remanded Mr Burton in custody to appear in court next month – where he is set to answer the charge.

Originally published as Justin Burton tells court alleged murder of police officer’s son Lewis Parkin on Hindley St is ‘not admitted’