The man who killed four people during a shooting rampage across Darwin in 2019 has rehired a team of lawyers he previously sacked to represent him at a sentencing hearing, despite losing Legal Aid funding.
The bizarre chronicle of Benjamin Hoffmann's legal representation was described as "a game of snakes and ladders" by Supreme Court Justice John Burns in a pre-sentencing hearing this afternoon.
"Mr Hoffmann … attempts are being made, at great inconvenience to a number of people, to ensure that you have legal representation when it comes to your sentence hearing," Justice Burns said.
Mr Hoffmann, 48, pleaded guilty to three charges of murder and one charge of manslaughter part of the way through his trial in late 2021.
Not long after his plea, he fired the lawyers who represented him throughout the trial, telling the court he had been "coerced" into pleading guilty.
After being granted a second round of Legal Aid funding, Hoffmann hired junior lawyer Patricia Peterson, who requires supervision, and barristers Bruce Levet and Alexander Tees.
At a hearing last month, he told the court he had sacked the second team, citing concerns Mr Tees and Mr Levet were "bullying" Dr Peterson.
Justice Burns has previously said he had seen no evidence of misconduct by any of Hoffmann's lawyers.
On Thursday, Dr Peterson told the court she would represent Hoffmann, alongside Mr Tees, if Darwin silk John Lawrence agreed to join the team pro bono, meaning all three lawyers would work for free.
"Legal Aid did not reverse its decision to cut Mr Hoffmann's funding," Dr Peterson said.
"After it was explained to him [that] Mr Tees has his best interests at heart … Mr Hoffmann accepts that Mr Tees is an appropriate person to represent him."
Hoffmann told the judge he was "upset" his lawyers were not going to be paid for their work, but Justice Burns issued him a stern warning.
"Again, that's not your concern," Justice Burns said.
"What is your concern is you make sure that you provide them with the instructions they need."
Hoffmann will return to court on May 27 for a sentencing hearing.
Expert health witnesses are expected to be called on that date to give evidence about Hoffmann's mental capacity and condition.
