Robert Marshall jailed for bashing a homeless man to death in 2014
A CALLOUS killer who laughed after murdering an intellectually disabled homeless man in an unprovoked beating has been jailed for 20 years.
A CALLOUS killer who laughed after murdering an intellectually disabled homeless man in an unprovoked beating has been jailed for 20 years for acts a Victorian judge branded as “sickening”.
Robert John Marshall, 22, of Keysborough, pleaded guilty to the murder of Christian Williams, who he attacked for no reason in Dandenong Park on November 2014, beating and stomping on him until he was dead.
Victorian Supreme Court Justice Karin Emerton on Tuesday ordered Marshall to serve a minimum of 16 years, stating he showed a complete disregard for Mr Williams’ humanity.
“He died pointlessly and tragically in terrifying circumstances,” Justice Emerton said of the father of one.
Mr Williams had the intellectual capacity of a 10-year-old child as the result of a brain injury he sustained when hit by a car as a child.
The day of the murder he was listening to music and preparing to sleep at the sound stage in Dandenong Park.
Marshall had been drinking with friends in the area before he approached Mr Williams and demanded his wallet.
Marshall then hit him in the head without provocation.
A friend tried to restrain Marshall who punched Mr Williams four of five more times.
Mr Williams did not fight back.
As Marshall continued his assault Mr Williams began crying, asking: “What did I do”?
Even after the victim lost consciousness, Marshall continued to punch him.
A friend said to Marshall: “Look you’ve killed him”.
Marshall laughed and said: “I don’t care”.
“Your conduct can only be described as sickening,” Justice Emerton said on Tuesday.