Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Darwin mass shooting murder trial date set
A trial date has been set for Ben Hoffmann, who allegedly murdered four people during a deadly mass shooting in Darwin in June 2019.
September 3, 2020
The man accused of killing four people during Northern Territory’s worst-ever mass shooting has been given a trial date.
Benjamin Glenn Hoffmann, 46, is charged with four counts of murder and several other serious offences following a series of shootings on June 4, 2019.
Hoffman was on Thursday committed to stand trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court on March 29 next year.
It’s alleged Hoffmann murdered Hassan Baydoun, 33, Nigel Hellings, 75, Michael Sisois, 57, and Rob Courtney, 52, during a drug-fuelled rampage through Darwin’s inner suburbs.
He’s also accused of shooting and injuring a woman, and threatening another woman with a shotgun during a night that shocked Australia.
Hoffman was arrested at gunpoint by tactical police officers and is also charged with recklessly endangering life.
The court has previously heard Hoffmann intends to plead not guilty due to mental impairment.
The trial has been set down for nine weeks with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for December 9.