Clinton Beau Wrigley, a 40-year-old farmhand, has been convicted of the murder of his neighbour, 58-year-old Joel Carter, along with stealing Carter’s Toyota ute and subsequently torching it. The incident occurred at a rural property in January 2023. Despite Wrigley pleading not guilty, jurors were informed that Carter succumbed to severe blunt-force trauma after being viciously struck on the head multiple times either on the night of January 22 or in the early hours of the following day.
During the Supreme Court trial in Dubbo, evidence suggested that Wrigley confessed to the crime three times post-incident. However, he claimed in closing arguments that these confessions were not reliable, describing himself as “just being a dickhead” at the time. He also refuted claims by the prosecution that he had stolen tools and the ute, asserting his innocence regarding these accusations.
The court heard that motivations for the murder may have stemmed from Carter’s alleged mistreatment of Wrigley’s sister-in-law, a point Wrigley acknowledged during a discreetly recorded phone call. Nevertheless, he dismissed the suggestion as a “pretty bad reason” for such a violent act. Wrigley’s defence lawyer, Nicholas Broadbent SC, questioned the extent of Wrigley’s relationship with Carter’s sister-in-law and pointed out that Wrigley’s boss had past grievances with Carter, including monetary disputes related to a share-farming agreement which could have instigated further tension.
Carter’s body was discovered two days after the assault, lying on his metal-framed bed in a highly decomposed state. A police investigation revealed that he had suffered an open head wound, multiple skull fractures, and lacerations.
Ultimately, the jury found Wrigley guilty of murder, as well as theft and arson related to Carter’s property. This verdict follows a week after Wrigley attempted to distance himself from the motive suggested by prosecutors. The case highlights a tragic and brutal event that unfolded in a rural community, raising questions about the relationships and tensions that can ignite such violence.