Murder victim Michael Purse's family members confront his killer in court

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The family of murdered man Michael Purse has spoken in an Adelaide court of their utter devastation at his brutal killing more than six years ago. Mark-Bry Leedham was found guilty of murder in the Supreme Court last year but maintains his innocence and has already lodged an appeal.

Transcript

00:00A family united in their anger at the man who took the life of the much-loved 32-year-old.

00:09He's a person who does not belong in society. He's a cruel, evil person.

00:15Michael Peirce was last seen alive in Adelaide CBD in February 2019

00:21and his body has never been recovered despite several police searches.

00:25We don't have much hope for finding him.

00:28Two men have already pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Michael Peirce and have been sentenced

00:34and last November, Mark Bryleadam was found guilty of his murder.

00:38Michael was subjected to a sustained and prolonged assault while he was offenceless,

00:42while he had his hands tied together, subsequently stabbed and then not given any aid,

00:48wrapped up in a blanket and left to die in the back of a car.

00:51In a written statement, Michael Peirce's mother told the court

00:55this was a savage, torturous murder by a small, insignificant coward who has no place in society ever again.

01:03The pain, confusion and terror Michael suffered through the night of his murder is now mine and his family's and friends.

01:10Leedham's lawyer said his client continues to profess his innocence.

01:14He was found guilty of a crime, one which he says he did not commit.

01:18He says he's prepared to die in jail with honour.

01:22Leedham scoffed, smirked and rolled his eyes while family members delivered their victim impact statements

01:28in the hour-long hearing.

01:30Outside court, the family members said that his behaviour was similar to how Leedham had acted throughout the trial.

01:36Looking at us, smirking, it shows that he doesn't have any moral high ground at all

01:41and it shows what type of person he really is.

01:45The 29-year-old will be sentenced next month.

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