A former US Marine pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing his estranged wife in Australia by dousing her with gasoline & setting her on fire while she was tied up in front of their young children.
Brian Early Johnston, 37, stood in court & copped to a count of murder just weeks before he was scheduled to go on trial in Brisbane for Kelly Wilkinson’s 2021 burning death.
The mom-of-three’s scorched body was found in the backyard of the family Gold Coast home on the morning of April 20, 2021.
Johnston, then 34, was accused of violating a restraining order & setting his wife of 10 years ablaze as their 3 kids, who ranged in age from 2 to 9, looked on in horror.
In the process, Johnston also lit himself on fire & jumped into a pool to put out the flames.
Officers who responded to the scene in the city of Arundel found a semiconscious Johnston with severe burns on his body 2 blocks away from his home.
Cops recovered a plastic gasoline can, 3 knives & a duffle bag containing a rope & duct tape.
Johnston was hospitalized with burns to his hands & airway, & remained in a coma for days before he was booked on a charge of murder.
Wilkinson’s family members were present Wednesday to witness Johnston’s arraignment in Brisbane Supreme Court via a video link from jail.
Johnston did not respond when asked if he wanted to say anything as to why sentence should not be passed upon him.
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The 37-year-old has been remanded to custody pending his sentencing hearing set for March 13.
Johnston & Wilkinson’s children have been taken in by an aunt.
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Source: New York Post