A court has heard how a man who was murdered in his Mount Gambier unit begged for his life during the brutal attack. Paul Roomes has pleaded guilty to the murder of 65-year-old Peter Smith in 2023. The victim's brother says his death has been a 'nightmare' for his family.
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00:00The Mount Gambier unit, where Peter Smith once called home, would become the scene of
00:08his murder. The 65-year-old was killed after a drunken fight erupted with 66-year-old Paul
00:15Rooms, who has pleaded guilty to his murder. Today, in the Supreme Court in Adelaide, his
00:22brother shared the torment his death has inflicted.
00:25Hopefully justice gets done quick and swift because it's been a rollercoaster ride for
00:31me through right up to now and it's been a nightmare for everything, me and my family.
00:36Defence told the court the accused Rooms had been homeless since 2019 and met Mr Smith
00:43while drinking in a Mount Gambier park. Fueled by alcohol, a fatal fight erupted between
00:50the pair in September 2023, which prosecutors described as a brutal and callous bashing,
00:57where Mr Smith begged for his life. The deceased was barely breathing, but he continues to
01:03kick and hit him in the head before picking up a chair leg and hitting him with that.
01:09He wanted to murder him. The sound of further blows being inflicted upon the deceased can
01:14be heard clearly on the body-worn video footage of first responders.
01:19The defence lawyer told the court the accused has expressed remorse while in custody. The
01:25prosecution argued nothing less than the minimum non-parole period of 20 years is an acceptable
01:31punishment. Sentencing submissions continue next month.