Convicted murderer Benjamin Hoffmann in Legal Aid ‘conflict’

Darwin convicted killer Benjamin Hoffmann may be forced to find his own legal representation to face an assault charge after a Legal Aid conflict.

Darwin killer Benjamin Hoffmann will reappear in court this month over an alleged prison “stoush” after ongoing issues securing legal representation.

Appearing in Darwin Local Court on Monday, Hoffmann said he would plead not guilty to one count of aggravated assault following an incident at Berrimah Prison in November last year.

The temperature of the liquid would be contested, a court heard in May.

Hoffmann said he struggled to obtain representation through NT Legal Aid because of a “conflict”.

“I am in an impossible situation,” he told Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris.

“Legal Aid is not assisting me, not answering my calls.

“I need them to be able to answer my calls as I am very limited to the communication I have.

“They are supposed to provide a service to someone in my situation and they are not.”

Hoffmann said he felt he was being discriminated against by NT Legal Aid.

Ms Morris asked Legal Aid lawyer Jacob Henderson to inquire about the possible “internal conflict” in relation to representing Hoffmann.

The court heard Hoffmann had been provided with a list of 20 lawyers he could contact to seek representation.

After a brief adjournment, Mr Henderson said an “in-house conflict” was to blame.

Hoffmann will now wait for advice on how to obtain legal representation.

He will reappear in Darwin Local Court on October 17.