Mother welcomes murder verdict
Two men have been found guilty of murdering 32-year-old David Liam Johnson, whose battered body was found in a Swanbourne park last year.
A Supreme Court jury today found Alexander James Stephens and Angus William John Ritchie guilty of murdering Mr Johnson in March last year.
The pair were at a gathering with Mr Johnson when a fight broke out between him and another man, Nathan Michael Beckton.
During the trial, Prosecutor Carmel Barbagallo argued Mr Johnson was stomped on, laughed at, verbally abused and kicked at the front of the house.
She said Stephens threw a concrete slab on Mr Johnson's head and shot him after he was driven to nearby Lime Kiln Field.
Outside court, Mr Johnson's mother, Christine Johnson, said she was relieved justice had been done for her son.
"We couldn't have asked for anything better but my heart goes out to their families as well,"she said.
"They are as much victims as anybody else."
Ms Johnson described her son as a beautiful and happy soul.
Police at the Swanbourne park where Mr Johnson's battered body was found. Picture: Michael Wilson/ The West Australian
Beckton was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter after the trial had begun.
The plea was accepted by the State but the jury was not told of the reason for his exit from the court until after the final verdict.
Justice Lindy Jenkins told the jury the issue they needed to consider in regards to Ritchie was whether he gave assistance in the commission of the offence.
She said Ritchie admitted going to Lime Kiln Field but claimed he was merely present and was not encouraging Stephens.
Mr Johnson's sister Brianna Lodge said her family was grateful for the support they had received.
"On behalf of all of Dave's family and friends we would like to thank the police and legal teams for all the hard work getting us this far," she said.
"As well as angelhands and victim support.
"We are so grateful and we couldn't have done it without them."
Stephens, Ritchie and Beckton will be sentenced in February.
