James Terence Hunt has denied being the ringleader of an alleged murder plot against Greenbushes man Raymond Smith, claiming his involvement was minimal during a court appearance.
The 48-year-old appeared in the Supreme Court of Western Australia on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to one count of murder. Hunt is accused of orchestrating the killing of Smith, 62, whose body was found in a shallow grave on a property near Greenbushes in March 2022.
Prosecutors allege Hunt was the mastermind behind the murder, but his lawyer argued that his role was limited to being present at the scene. The court heard that Hunt had a history of drug use and mental health issues, which may have influenced his actions.
The trial is expected to last several weeks, with the prosecution set to call a number of witnesses, including co-accused individuals who have already pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Hunt remains in custody and will face a further hearing next month.
