This piece of excrement is right up there as a lowlife.
"A 19-year-old man pulled from the ocean naked and acting erratically in a town two hours north of Perth has fronted court accused of the murder of 38-year-old man John Matta, whose body was found in a burnt-out car nearby.
Hamilton Hill man Benjamin Jack McLaughlin appeared in Perth Magistrates Court in custody on Thursday morning, also charged with aggravated criminal damage by fire and stealing a motor vehicle.
McLaughlin was arrested on September 26 after a group of fishermen noticed him allegedly screaming on the hull of a boat drifting out to sea at about 3am, and rescued him after he jumped into the ocean.
Hours earlier, a white Mitsubishi Pajero had been involved in a crash three kilometres away on Indian Ocean Drive, with police later discovering human remains inside the charred vehicle.
McLaughlin was charged over the ocean incident and was granted bail last week. Detectives arrested him again on Wednesday and charged him with murder.
Police allege McLaughlin was behind the wheel of the Pajero when it crashed and rolled near the Cervantes Road turn-off about 12.30am.
Matta, who was driving a red SUV, came across the scene and pulled over. Police allege there was an incident between the two which allegedly resulted in Matta’s death.
McLaughlin then allegedly stole the red SUV, which was later found in the ocean near Cervantes Jetty.
Matta was described as a kind and generous man. Friend George Gerges told Nine News Perth he was down-to-earth and humble, always trying to help people.
Eight months ago, Matta had part of his right leg amputated, and had been regularly posting about his recovery journey on TikTok to inspire others in a similar boat.
“Your reason for existence is only defined by how hungry you are to live life to the fullest,” he wrote in the caption of one video.
In court on Thursday, McLaughlin only spoke to say he understood his charges. No application for bail was made."
He was remanded in custody and will next appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on October 25.
Outside court his lawyer Paul Holmes said he had not yet had a discussion with McLaughlin about any exceptional circumstances for a bail application to be made.
“He is distraught. I had a long discussion with him last night when he was in the custody of officers. Naturally, it’s come as a huge shock to him,” Holmes said.
“I will facilitate further discussions in time. ”
McLaughlin was previously charged with obstructing and assaulting a public officer, assaulting a person aiding a public officer, and casting away ships, and will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on those charges in November.
www.watoday.com.au
"A 19-year-old man pulled from the ocean naked and acting erratically in a town two hours north of Perth has fronted court accused of the murder of 38-year-old man John Matta, whose body was found in a burnt-out car nearby.
Hamilton Hill man Benjamin Jack McLaughlin appeared in Perth Magistrates Court in custody on Thursday morning, also charged with aggravated criminal damage by fire and stealing a motor vehicle.
McLaughlin was arrested on September 26 after a group of fishermen noticed him allegedly screaming on the hull of a boat drifting out to sea at about 3am, and rescued him after he jumped into the ocean.
Hours earlier, a white Mitsubishi Pajero had been involved in a crash three kilometres away on Indian Ocean Drive, with police later discovering human remains inside the charred vehicle.
McLaughlin was charged over the ocean incident and was granted bail last week. Detectives arrested him again on Wednesday and charged him with murder.
Police allege McLaughlin was behind the wheel of the Pajero when it crashed and rolled near the Cervantes Road turn-off about 12.30am.
Matta, who was driving a red SUV, came across the scene and pulled over. Police allege there was an incident between the two which allegedly resulted in Matta’s death.
McLaughlin then allegedly stole the red SUV, which was later found in the ocean near Cervantes Jetty.
Matta was described as a kind and generous man. Friend George Gerges told Nine News Perth he was down-to-earth and humble, always trying to help people.
Eight months ago, Matta had part of his right leg amputated, and had been regularly posting about his recovery journey on TikTok to inspire others in a similar boat.
“Your reason for existence is only defined by how hungry you are to live life to the fullest,” he wrote in the caption of one video.
In court on Thursday, McLaughlin only spoke to say he understood his charges. No application for bail was made."
He was remanded in custody and will next appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on October 25.
Outside court his lawyer Paul Holmes said he had not yet had a discussion with McLaughlin about any exceptional circumstances for a bail application to be made.
“He is distraught. I had a long discussion with him last night when he was in the custody of officers. Naturally, it’s come as a huge shock to him,” Holmes said.
“I will facilitate further discussions in time. ”
McLaughlin was previously charged with obstructing and assaulting a public officer, assaulting a person aiding a public officer, and casting away ships, and will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on those charges in November.
Perth man charged with murder over body in burnt-out car in Cervantes
Police have established an alleged link between two incidents in Cervantes last week, with a Hamilton Hill man facing court on Thursday charged with murder.
