Mother of man killed by Yatala prison cellmate tells court she feels let down by authorities
Earlier this year, Benjamin Anthony Shuman, 35, was found not guilty by way of mental incompetence of the murder of 52-year-old Jason Douglas Wright in June 2023.
Mr Shuman was arrested and charged with murder on June 17 after Mr Wright was found dead in his cell at Yatala Labour Prison in Adelaide's north.
Justice Anne Bampton previously recorded a finding that the elements of murder were met, but that Mr Shuman was mentally incompetent at the time.
During a brief hearing on Monday, a prosecutor read a victim impact statement on behalf of Mr Wright's mother which detailed her frustrations at how her son's mental illness was dealt with in the prison system.
"We have been let down by the government and the departments of mental health through to correctional services," Frances Wright wrote.
"Where is the duty of care when an acutely mentally unwell person … on remand with no previous convictions, is incarcerated in high security prison … then placed in a cell with inadequate supervision with somebody also suffering mental illness?
"Why was he not placed somewhere safe, and where his mental health could be maintained and supported?
"This is a serious issue seen as a violation of a person's rights."
Ms Wright went on to detail the struggles she faced for "35-plus years" dealing with her son's mental health issues.
"Over this time my input regarding his mental health was not taken seriously," she said.
"Mental illness is a medical condition, but it is stigmatised, leading to misconceptions and discrimination."
Ms Wright said she hoped "that other families don't have to go through this trauma caused by mismanagement".
"Some things need to change and be addressed," she wrote.
Ms Wright said that, given her understanding of mental illness, she did have "a compassionate understanding", but that it was "hard to forgive what has happened".
A prosecutor told the court two psychological reports found "the defendant's risk of relapse and reoffending in the community remains significant without the appropriate supports and supervision".
Defence barrister Casey Isaacs, for Mr Shuman, said his client is "in a far better mental state then he has been in the past", and apologised to Mr Wright's family on his behalf.
He also said Mr Shuman is "open to rehabilitation".
Justice Bampton remanded Mr Shuman to a limiting term of life at psychiatric facility James Nash House — which equates to the same amount of time he would be sentenced to if he'd been found guilty of murder.
Acting SA Premier Susan Close said, although she did not "know the circumstances" of the case, she had "no doubt that it will be looked into very carefully".
"It sounds absolutely … a heartbreaking tragedy. I feel very much for the mother and all my sympathy is with her," she said.
"When we run our prisons, we try to run them with the best interests of all of the people living there at heart and the idea that this tragedy has happened is very distressing.
A Department for Correctional Services spokesperson said the "circumstances surrounding Mr Wright's death will be the subject of a coronial inquiry".
"The death of Mr Wright is a sad and tragic event, and the department extends its sympathies to his family and friends," they said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
43 minutes ago
- ABC News
‘Falling from the sky': Investigation launched into suspected Melbourne native bird poisoning
A Melbourne wildlife carer estimates 400 native corellas and pigeons may have died from suspected poisoning in Melbourne's south-east over the weekend. Warning: This story contains images some readers may find distressing. Michele Phillips, who has worked as a wildlife carer for 35 years and runs the South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter, was called to the Springvale South Shopping Centre in Melbourne's south-east after reports of many deceased birds in the area. "There was a house over the road that had its roof covered in dead and dying birds. People in different houses came out, they all had dead or dying birds." Ms Phillips said cleaners at the centre had been clearing dead birds from the area since Friday night and said "no doubt" poisoning was to blame. "They bleed from their nose and eyes [after poisoning] … This was exactly the same," she said. "Corellas, they mate for life — so it was horrible because you were seeing their partners next to them knocking them around, trying to [understand] what was happening." Corellas are one of the native bird species protected under the Victorian Wildlife Act 1975. The maximum penalty for hunting, taking or destroying protected wildlife in Victoria is $10,175.50 and six-months' prison, plus $1017.55 for every head of wildlife involved. Speaking on Radio National Breakfast, Wildlife Victoria CEO Lisa Palma said multiple volunteers helped collect the bodies of dead birds after receiving "multiple emergency calls" about birds behaving "abnormally". Ms Palma said other native bird species including the crested pigeons, ravens, sulphur-crested cockatoos and silver gulls were also found among the dead birds. The birds were sent to Healesville Sanctuary for toxicology testing. Healesville Sanctuary said the Conservation Regulator at the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action is leading the investigation. A spokesperson for the Conservation Regulator confirmed an investigation "into the cause of death of a large number of corellas" is underway. According to the department, anyone who sees five or more sick or dead wild birds or wildlife should report it online or on 136 186. Any sightings of sick or dead penguins or pelicans, birds of prey, black swans and marine mammals should also be reported. It is unclear what caused the deaths of these birds. Earlier this year, an investigation was launched by Agriculture Victoria and the Conservation Regulator after dozens of corellas were found dead in the Wimmera. The Horsham Rural City Council suspected poisoning as the cause of death after seeds were found scattered in the area. After the Springvale South incident, Ms Palma warned people against feeding native birds. "We did have reports from members of the public that someone was leaving bird seeds out in the area, and we understand the department has collected some of that bird seeds as well for testing," she said. Ms Phillips said she sees people feeding birds "all the time". "People were dropping off seeds and rice and throwing it on the ground, I ended up ringing the council and asked them to clean the area up," she said. "[The birds] know how to survive. People feeding wild birds, it encourages disease and it encourages the birds to be dependent on that food." In a statement, Greater Dandenong City Council executive director Community Strengthening, Peta Gillies said the discovery of deceased birds was "distressing" for the community and said the council is supporting the relevant organisations in the investigation. In Victoria, bird feeding laws differ in each local government area. According to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, 14 of the 31 local councils in Greater Melbourne have laws regarding feeding wild birds.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Investigation continues into death of baby pulled out of Chatsworth Park lake
Police are awaiting test results to determine how a seven-month-old boy died after being found unresponsive at a Queensland campsite. Detectives returned to the scene at Chatsworth, about two hours north of Brisbane on the outskirts of Gympie, on Tuesday morning. Emergency crews were called to the site off Gympie-Curra Road at about 10:30am on Saturday. Police said the child had been retrieved from a lake at the site by his mother. Several campers performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The infant was taken to Gympie Hospital where he died on Saturday night. The child had been staying with his parents, who were camping about 50 metres from the lake and were travelling back to their home in North Queensland. Police confirmed on Tuesday that both parents remained in the Gympie region. No charges have been laid at this stage. The post-mortem was carried out on Monday morning but detectives were waiting on additional test results to determine the cause of death. Chatsworth Park is used as a stopover for travellers and has also become home to several longer-term campers. Anthony Ellul said everyone at the site on Saturday morning had been questioned by police. "They picked us up, they took us in couple by couple, they brought us back. That's all, so we're just waiting," he said. "The police won't say anything to us because of course it's an ongoing investigation at this time, but we know that the child has passed away." Mr Ellul said the tragedy had "devastated" the campsite's small community. "It broke my heart so much," he said through tears. Mr Ellul said he could not understand how a child so young could reach the water. Fellow camper Jack Knopjes said there had been much speculation over the incident. "We all feel awful about this," he said. "Everybody's got their own thoughts about this, but you don't know — even the police don't know." Mr Knopjes said the campers were supporting each other. "We get a little bit closer, you know — we're like a little family," he said. Police have appealed for anyone who was in the vicinity of the park at the time of the incident to come forward.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Stumbling, dying in pain': Woman breaks down reliving alleged moment Timothy Van Vo shot dead near Corinda home
A woman has relived the moments she says came after a man's fatal shooting following an alleged drug deal gone wrong – crying while describing how she saw the victim was 'stumbling around' in 'pain' on CCTV. Justin Richard Moulds-Steele, Andrew Van Mason, Cheyenne Anniki Petryszyn and Jay Allen Roberts are all charged with the murder of father-of-two Timothy Van Vo outside a home in Corinda three years ago. Police allege Mr Vo, 38, was shot in the chest following an early-hours altercation outside a residence on Cliveden Ave – allegedly sparked over a dispute about a poor quality drug deal. All four have not entered pleas to the charges. During a committal hearing at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, CCTV from the morning of October 4, 2022 – when Mr Vo died – was played to the court. The brief black-and-white footage captures several figures brawling in the yard of the home before a weapon is fired. Mr Vo is seen collapsing and blood spattering in the yard, before the groups separate. Breanna Spiteri told the court she went to bed about 3.30am that morning and later heard a commotion break out involving her partner, who is not Mr Vo. She said she heard 'loud, unusual' noises and someone being 'bashed', before racing downstairs and hearing a gunshot. Ms Spiteri said she opened the door to find a male body on the ground. She choked up in the witness box while recalling watching CCTV of the incident, seeing 'Timothy just stumbling around and dying in pain'. 'I didn't see that with my eyes, I just witnessed him laying on the ground,' Ms Spiteri said. 'But in the CCTV he is in so much pain, screaming and crying.' Under cross-examination, Ms Spiteri acknowledged she believed she heard her partner crying out for help while he was allegedly being assaulted by three people at the home. But after watching the footage, she acknowledged she did not see anyone 'striking or punching' her partner. Barrister Angus Edwards – acting for Mr Moulds-Steele – asked: 'You've assumed what you were hearing was punching and kicking, but you didn't actually see anything?' 'Correct,' Ms Spiteri said. She told the court she then ran out the door and saw five figures, including her partner, in the yard. After ripping off one's balaclava, she realised one was a woman. 'She was just standing there, and I just come sprinting down the stairs, approaching the door fast … and just attacked her,' Ms Spiteri said. 'She backed up and she wasn't even fighting back. 'I was just so overwhelmed and enraged I just ripped off her balaclava. 'I could see the tallest person in a black balaclava holding a weapon in his hand, and he was shaking. He was the first person to turn around, sprint and jump over the fence.' Ms Spiteri said she was then assaulted and fell back, before the rest of the group fled. The Crown is expected to call 22 witnesses for the committal hearing. The hearing continues.
