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WA Court Lifts Suppression, Names Nick Martin’s Sniper

The decision identifies prosecution witness Benjamin Luke Johnston, reflecting the court’s view that secrecy no longer protects him.

Overview

  • The WA Supreme Court lifted a long‑standing order that hid the shooter’s identity, allowing media to name him as Benjamin Luke Johnston.
  • Justice Joe McGrath said Johnston’s name was already common knowledge inside prison, and WA Police did not oppose lifting the order.
  • Johnston is serving 20 years for the December 2020 sniper killing at Perth Motorplex, where Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin was shot from about 300 metres.
  • He later testified against David James Pye, who was convicted last year of arranging the murder and received a life sentence.
  • Pye’s lawyer signaled a planned appeal and argued the order should have stayed, while Johnston and Pye remain kept apart at Casuarina Prison and appeared by video link.