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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Ben Smee, Queensland state correspondent

Kelly Wilkinson: Brian Earl Johnston sentenced to life in prison for Queensland murder

Kelly Wilkinson Brian Earl Johnston Murder Peter Applegarth Prison Queensland United States Gold Gold Coast
Murder victim Kelly Wilkinson in an undated photo
Kelly Wilkinson was stabbed eight times by Brian Earl Johnston but likely died after he set her on fire, Queensland supreme court heard. A judge has sentenced him to life in prison over the murder. Photograph: SUPPLIED/PR IMAGE

The night before Brian Earl Johnston murdered Kelly Wilkinson, he was recorded on a CCTV camera making “preparations”.

The former US marine packed a camouflage bag with a prybar, duct tape, zip ties, a tomahawk axe and a sedative, the Queensland supreme court heard. He filled a 20-litre jerry can with petrol.

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