Love triangle murderer Robert John Bearman granted parole after executing rival

A jealous and obsessive man who executed his love rival in a “cold blooded”, execution-style killing, has been released from Risdon Prison on parole.

AN OBSESSED man who murdered his ex-wife’s new lover, marching him to a grave he’d dug at Seven Mile Beach before shooting him to the head, has been granted parole.

Robert John Bearman committed the execution-style murder in July 2001, forcing his love rival Wayne Schultz to drive to a pine forest, then shooting him with a sawn-off .22 rifle.

Bearman, then 55, was jailed for 25 years, with a non-parole period of half that time, after he was found guilty by a Supreme Court of Tasmania jury.

While sentencing, Justice Ewan Crawford condemned the love triangle killing as “cold blooded”, noting Mr Schultz was likely on his knees at the time.

“Your motive arose out of your hatred for the man who had gained the affection of your estranged wife and your continued desire for her,” the judge said.

Robert John Bearman.

Wayne Stanton Schultz of Midway Point was reported as missing in 2001 before his body was found at Seven Mile Beach.

In its newly-published decision, the Parole Board of Tasmania said Bearman first became eligible to apply for parole in 2014 but he’d been knocked back on five separate occasions.

The board said a “relevant factor” had been concern over the risk he might present to his ex-wife, noting he’d previously assaulted her.

“The applicant’s conduct in marching his victim to a grave he had previously dug, shooting him for no greater reason than his relationship with his former wife, the attempts to avoid responsibility by persistent lies and the lack of remorse, all speak to deficiencies in the character of (Bearman) at that time, the board said.

It said it needed to assess whether Bearman had learnt to overcome or control his “deficiencies” or obsession with his past wife during his past 20 years in custody.

“(Bearman) is serving his sentence in a compliant manner. He is classified as minimum security and is described in his case notes as engaging well and as polite and respectful,” the board said.

Police forensics searching for Wayne Schultz at Seven Mile Beach.

“However there have been some instances of concern … Perhaps most concerningly is his confused thinking in respect of his former wife and family. He speaks at times of having the support of his former wife and indeed having been visited by his daughter. There are no records of the latter occurring and no basis upon which he could reasonably believe that his former wife holds anything but fear toward him.”

Bearman was granted parole as of August 3, with conditions he not contact his ex-wife, avoid the Eastern Shore, be electronically monitored, and comply with a mental health plan.

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