Roe found guilty of Broome “gay bash” murder

A man from Broome has been found guilty of murdering a male Halls Creek resident who allegedly made sexual advances on him while the pair were drinking together.

The man, who has been discussed under the pseudonym Mr Johnson for cultural reasons, was killed by Joseph Thomas Roe in September of 2014.

Autopsy reports revealed 41-year-old Johnson was exhibiting fractures to his skull and severe blunt-force trauma to his anus. Prosecutors told the court Roe had been in a “fit of rage” when he attacked Johnson.

It was revealed at an earlier court appearance that Roe had told police he had murdered Johnson because he had made sexual advances toward him. A reading of the police interview recorded that Roe had said he “didn’t like poofs.”

Johnson’s family told media they were thankful a judgement had been made, after waiting two years to hear the court’s decision.

“It’s a bit of happiness and a bit of sadness,” Johnson’s uncle said.

“It’s been a long journey to this point but we can finally begin to put it behind us.”

Joseph Thomas Roe is scheduled to be sentenced in November this year.

OIP Staff

Sources

• ABC