A MILLICENT man has escaped serving a lengthy term behind bars following the “gruesome harvester murder” of Happy Motors Garage mechanic Jack Gibson.
John Mullins, acting as Digger Jones, appeared before the Old Courthouse in Mount Gambier on Saturday night and pleaded not guilty to the crime, which occurred two weeks ago in conjunction with this year’s Geltwood Festival’s Murder at the Museum theatrical event.
Despite having many enemies it was Mr Jones, the father of Mr Gibson’s girlfriend, who was suspected of luring the victim to his place of work before pushing him into a piece of farm machinery where he met his gruesome and untimely death.
The court heard from a number of Millicent residents including Phil Golding as the prosecution Robert Frost, Moira Neagle as Mrs Robinson Mr Gibson’s mistress and Noel Boyle as mobster Danny Boyle.
After some deliberation the jury delivered a guilty verdict.
However an undercover police officer, who was disguised as a gangster, stepped forward and announced that business man Mr Boyle had in fact given orders for Mr Gibson to get “bumped off”.
It was alleged that Mr Gibson had found himself caught up in the wrong crowd and had been dealing drugs for Mr Boyle as a second source of income.
In the heat of the moment, Mrs Robinson’s husband played by Nathan Woodruff, yelled out that his wife returned home on the night of the murder covered in blood.
“She said she had been killing a chook for Sunday lunch, but I did not believe her and she threatened to beat me,” he said.
There were murmurs and gasps of shock in the courthouse after Mrs Robinson screamed that she was going to “slice” her husband “in half with a butter knife” when they got home.
The judge said that in light of new evidence the court would have to go against the jury’s finding and continue further investigations into the case.
“This court will be adjourned until more evidence is found and a proper investigation is undertaken,” he said.
“The jury is hereby sacked after they were compromised by the new revelations.
“Guard, place Mrs Robinson and Digger in the cells.
“Detective Frost I suggest you re think your day job.”
Mob Boss Boyle escaped any sentencing after paying off the judge who said he had to attest to his outstanding character because he was a “stalwart of the community”.
It was the fourth consecutive year the Millicent National Trust hosted the Murder at the Museum event and the first time it held the court hearing, which attracted a full house.
