A man accused of bashing his stepfather to death in Wanniassa allegedly told a friend of his murder plans several days earlier, court documents reveal.
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And police have now alleged that Jeffrey David Lee, 46, stole $53,000 cash hidden in the home where he killed Neal Keith Wilkinson, while his sick and largely incapacitated mother slept in a nearby bedroom.
Court documents reveal a chilling exchange between Lee, who was in serious financial trouble, and a friend three days before the accused went to his mother's house on McWhae Circuit to ask for money.
"I think I'm going to kill my step-dad, bro."
The friend is said to have replied: "You think? You don't want to be doing that. You'll go to jail for life."
Lee then allegedly said: "Yeah, I know, but I've f...ed up so bad in the past, maybe I need something to straighten me out."
Lee, who has pleaded not guilty, was on Thursday committed to stand trial in the ACT Supreme Court.
He was also charged with stealing $53,000 cash hidden in a pillowcase in the home. New court documents tendered during the committal further detailed the prosecution's case against the defendant.
Lee had been estranged from his mother and Mr Wilkinson for 15 years until 2012, when he turned up asking for $3000 for "real estate issues".
It was during that visit that he allegedly became aware that his stepfather stashed cash in a pillowcase in the home.
The bank later foreclosed on a property he owned, and he blew the money from left over from its sale on drugs, hotel rooms, and trips to Sydney, before living a "transient lifestyle" for a couple of years.
He allegedly made repeated requests to his mother and Mr Wilkinson for money. His stepfather knew of Lee's drug habit and was reluctant to give him money, court documents suggest.
"On more than one occasion Mr Wilkinson commented to [Lee's mother] that he was frightened of the defendant and thought he might be killed by him one day," police said in a statement of facts.
By the time of the alleged murder, Lee's bank balance was -$16.54, he was four weeks in rent arrears, and owed Cash Converters a debt that had defaulted to $1121.
It's alleged he drove to his mother's house on March 10, had an altercation with Mr Wilkinson, before inflicting blunt force trauma to his head.
Police say a heavy, marble-type door stop was found near the body.
He allegedly left the scene but returned, and found the cash-filled pillowcase during one of the two visits.
Lee also went into his mother's room, where she slept in darkness, and sat next to her, later making her a cup of tea and grilling her a hot cross bun.
Police allege he told her he killed Mr Wilkinson, saying words to the effect of: "Neal's dead, I killed him."
His mother asked for the phone to call the police, and Lee is alleged to have replied: "No you're not, no you're not, no you're not. You're not ringing anybody."
He left soon after. His mother is said to have struggled out of bed, saw her partner's body, and began crying out for help.
Lee had allegedly ripped one phone from the wall, and the others were believed to be dead.
It wasn't until later that evening, just before 7pm, that police say a neighbour heard her cries and came to help.
Court documents suggest Lee used the night to go to a brothel, a sex shop, and then to a friend's place.
He allegedly went into his friend's lounge room, fell to his knees, and said: "I've f...ed up, I've killed someone, I've killed my stepdad."
Police arrested him the next day, While he was being taken to the ACT Watch House, Lee is alleged to have told police: "I went there with the intention of forcing my way in. I was mad that I didn't get in. It got out of hand quickly.
"It's actually a relief to get caught. I just ran and ran after it happened. I didn't know what to do."
Lee will face the ACT Supreme Court for a directions hearing early next month.
