The identity of the sniper who shot dead bikie boss Nick Martin has been revealed for the first time, more than five years after the assassination. Benjamin Luke Johnston, 39, was unmasked on Friday as the man serving a 20-year prison sentence for the murder, after successfully overturning a court suppression order on his name.
Johnston, a former soldier and gun-for-hire, carried out the brazen hit at the Perth Motorplex in December 2020. Armed with a .308-calibre rifle, he shot Martin from 365 metres away as the bikie sat with his wife during a drag racing event. The bullet passed through Martin's back and struck his son-in-law Ricky Chapman in the arm.
Johnston pleaded guilty to murder in 2021 and was sentenced to 20 years. The suppression order had been in place to protect him from retribution attacks in prison. However, his lawyer told the court that Johnston is already widely known within the prison system and moves freely without fearing for his safety.
Johnston sought to have the order lifted due to difficulties in custody, including issues with mail and visits, and a desire to study a health science degree under his own name. The court heard that Johnston was hired by David James Pye, a former associate of Martin, who was found guilty of orchestrating the murder. Pye's lawyer opposed the lifting of the suppression order, noting that Pye has not yet been sentenced and plans to appeal his conviction.
Johnston received a substantial sentencing discount for his cooperation in the case against Pye. He testified that he was paid $100,000 for the killing, though he claimed he was shortchanged $50,000. The court heard that Johnston carried out extensive research before the hit, including flying a drone over Martin's home and preparing his vantage point.
