A man found guilty of killing his mother maintained his innocence and called a judge “biased” in an emotional outburst in court.
A man found guilty of killing his mother maintained his innocence and called a judge “biased” in an emotional outburst in court.
Thomas Bednar, 54, fronted the Supreme Court on Friday for a pre-sentencing hearing after a 12-person jury convicted him in November of murdering his mother Judy Bednar, 78, at her Chelsea home in May 2021.
Sitting in the dock, Bednar fought back tears as he labelled suggestions he had taken his mother’s life as ludicrous.
“Yes, I had a soured relationship with her,” he said.
“But no, I did not do anything wrong. All I know is that I was charged with a crime I did not commit.”
He repeated his claims, as were told to the jury in his trial, that he was framed by family friend Danny Cohen.
The evidence points to Mr Cohen as the murderer, Bednar said.
He also told Justice Andrew Tinney he did not care what sentence he gave him, as he would be launching an appeal.
“You are a biased man,” Bednar told the experienced judge.
“Give me 30 years, I don’t care.”
Justice Tinney responded: “Mr Bednar, I am not going to hold these things against you. I make that clear. But you’re not really doing yourself any favours.”
Read the article by Rebekah Cavanagh in NT News.