Benjamin Luke Johnston, the hired sniper convicted of murdering bikie leader Nick Martin at a drag racing event, can now be identified after a gag order was lifted by the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
Details of the Murder
Johnston, 43, fatally shot Martin at the Perth Motorplex in December 2020 as the then-Rebels chief sat with his wife and associates in the spectator area. The former soldier's name was previously suppressed for his safety after he agreed to give evidence against Comancheros bikie David James Pye, who has also been convicted of Martin's murder.
Reasons for Lifting the Gag Order
Johnston successfully applied to have the suppression order lifted on Friday, arguing it was negatively impacting his life in prison. Justice Joseph McGrath noted that mail was not reaching Johnston and people were having difficulty booking prison visits. The court heard that the prison population already knows who Johnston is, and he has no fears for his safety in protective custody. Johnston also wishes to enrol in a university course while serving his 20-year sentence, which the suppression order was preventing.
The Sniper Attack
Johnston, a former army reservist and artillery gunner, conducted extensive research for the attack. He flew a drone over Martin's home to assess security and approached within 10 metres of him at the racetrack. On another night, he sneaked into the venue and moved a safety ramp that interfered with the line of sight between Martin's usual seat and his intended shooting position. He tested his high-powered rifle by firing 200 rounds at a small target in isolated bushland.
On the night of the killing, Johnston wore a camouflage suit and gloves, climbed through a hole in the fence, and crawled to a heavily vegetated position. He watched Martin through his rifle scope for 10 to 15 minutes, making adjustments based on wind speed and other factors. He fired a single shot from a .308-calibre rifle from exactly 365 metres, striking Martin in the chest. The bullet passed through Martin's back, struck his son-in-law Ricky Chapman in the left leg, and lodged in his arm. Martin died in hospital, but Chapman survived. About 2,000 people were at the event, including a five-year-old child seated behind Martin.
Sentencing and Co-operation
Johnston would ordinarily have faced life imprisonment, but he received a substantial sentencing discount for his co-operation and will become eligible for parole after 18 years. He first met Pye via Instagram while working for a medical charity in Iraq. After returning to Australia, he visited Pye at his home, where Pye allegedly offered to supply him with MDMA. Pye later offered Johnston $150,000 to kill Martin, but Johnston was ultimately paid $100,000. Johnston was arrested weeks later, having been under police surveillance. Pye is scheduled for sentencing on May 13, and his lawyer opposed the lifting of the gag order, citing the possibility of a retrial.
