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.
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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.