SA inmates not guilty of judge murder plot

Two inmates have been found not guilty of plotting to murder two South Australian judges in a revenge attack.

Two prisoners have been found not guilty of plotting to murder two South Australian judges using improvised fire bombs.

Frederick Bernard Walkuski, 63, and Hendrik Van Shaick, 42, were found not guilty on Monday of conspiracy to commit murder and other related charges in Adelaide's Supreme Court.

The Crown had alleged Walkuski last year offered fellow inmate Van Shaick $20,000 to firebomb the home of Judge Paul Rice and his wife, Judge Rosemary Davey, while they slept.

Prosecutors said the plot was in revenge for a 17-year prison sentence handed down to Walkuski by Judge Rice.

They said the plot was thwarted by a third inmate, Wayne Buckingham, who learnt of the alleged plan and spoke to his lawyer and later police.

Officers then planted recording devices in the prisoners' cells.

It was alleged Van Shaick said in one conversation: "All I got to do is get a f***ing beer bottle - light it, throw it, smash it and boom."

The inmates were also charged with conspiring to endanger the life of Detective Inspector Craig Wall by planning to firebomb his car.

The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charges relating to Insp Wall after three days of deliberation.


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Source: AAP


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