A heroin addict has pleaded guilty at the last minute to killing a diabetic pensioner and dumping his body in a Queensland forest.
Raymond Paul Davy, 44, was to stand trial on Monday the Brisbane Supreme Court over the murder of 73-year-old Donald Rogers in December 2003.
However, moments before the jury was to be empanelled, Davy announced he would plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Davy was found guilty of murder in 2006, however, this conviction was overturned last year by the Queensland Court of Appeal, which ordered a retrial.
Monday's plea saved taxpayers the cost of a second trial, which was anticipated to run for 10 days.
It is the crown's case that Davy killed Mr Rogers before stealing money from the elderly man's bank accounts to purchase thousands of dollars worth of heroin.
He also set fire to Mr Rogers' car.
Davy has already pleaded guilty to fraud and arson.
Mr Rogers was reported missing in December 2003.
Three months later Davy led police to a remote location in Beerburrum in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
After an extensive search police uncovered human bones and a skull that dental records proved belonged to Mr Rogers.
Davy's sentence was adjourned until next month while the defence obtains a psychologist's report.
© 2008 AAP
SOURCE: theage
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