Man who murdered Jarrod Leigh Turner with gunshot said he didn’t aim for the victim’s head

Shannon Duffy’s new lawyer has sensationally turned the tables – arguing that although Duffy had pleaded guilty to murder, he had not in fact aimed for Jarrod Turner’s head. LATEST >>

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JARROD Leigh Turner didn’t die instantly after he was shot in the head.

Instead, the Gagebrook dad slumped to the ground, bleeding as he lay dying on the side of a country road, with no chance of getting help.

It was in the early hours of April 14 last year when Shannon James Duffy shot his long-time mate, taking the 22-year-old by surprise as he urinated on a roadside near Richmond.

With Duffy speeding off in his car, Mr Turner died alone, exposed and vulnerable with his trousers still undone.

On Friday, Duffy returned to the Supreme Court of Tasmania after sacking his lawyer last month in a late move before sentencing.

And now, perhaps even more sensationally, his new lawyer Frances McCracken has turned the tables – arguing that although Duffy had pleaded guilty to murder, he had not in fact aimed for Mr Turner’s head.

“He in fact aims for the back of Mr Turner instead of his head,” Ms McCracken argued before Justice Michael Brett on Friday.

Jarrod Leigh Turner. Picture: Facebook

“All that had crystallised was that ‘I am going to shoot this person’. He didn’t necessarily plan to kill him, but just to shoot him.

“I’m instructed that he aimed toward his back and that the firearm kicked up … and has clearly struck him in his head.”

Ms McCracken agreed the way Duffy left his friend on the roadside was “callous and dehumanising” and also agreed he took steps to protect himself from getting caught, even going into hiding for a period.

But she said Duffy had become “more and more worked up” about an allegation that Mr Turner had sexually assaulted a girl who Duffy was protective of.

“He genuinely believed it (the sexual assault) had occurred at the time he took action,” Ms McCracken said.

The defence barrister also said that although the murder was premeditated, the precise time at which Duffy attacked was a “split decision”.

“Mr Duffy was essentially playing it by ear and looking for an opportunity to shoot him,” she said.

Family and friends of murdered man Jarrod Leigh Turner outside the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Friday.

“In the hours they spent together, Mr Duffy is searching for an opportunity and Mr Turner has no idea this was to occur.”

Ms McCracken also said Duffy was now remorseful, was illiterate and had been diagnosed with a mild intellectual disability.

She also said Duffy had been offered an “inducement” – of money, a car and protection for his children – if he took the entire blame for the murder.

Crown prosecutor Linda Mason argued Duffy did in fact intend to murder Mr Turner.

She also said Duffy should not be entitled to a discount on his sentence, even though he would be called to give evidence in upcoming court proceedings for other alleged co-offenders.

The court heard that Mr Turner, who was found dead about an hour later by a passing motorist, didn’t die immediately after the shooting.

Duffy will return to court on November 13.

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