A father of two will spend at least 20 years behind bars after killing his friend, stuffing his body inside a tree trunk and lighting it on fire, a court has heard.
Eric James Forrest, 35, was sentenced in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday after he was found guilty by a jury of the “execution-style murder” of his friend, 53-year-old David Collisson in September 2023.
During sentencing, the court heard how the pair had fallen out, with Forrest confronting Mr Collisson on a farm in Mudgee in front of two other friends.
Forrest pulled out a firearm with one loaded bullet, with Mr Collisson yelling: “What are you doing?”
Forrest then responded: “You want to treat me like a f**king gronk?”
Mr Collisson then began pleading for his life, saying: “Please don’t, don’t, you’re my brother. I love you, please don’t.”
It was then that Forrest shot him in the chest and shoulder area before fleeing in his car.
The two witnesses then went over to Forrest, who was “rolling around and squealing,” and found that his “eyes were open and he was dead”.
The court heard how the two witnesses and Forrest later used a tractor to move Mr Collisson’s 137-kilogram body into a tree trunk, which was set on fire with the use of additional wood and accelerant.
Forrest used Mr Collisson’s bank card at Mudgee Service Station to purchase strawberry milk, online vouchers and cigarettes.
A missing persons investigation for Mr Collisson was launched in October 2023, before police found bone fragments and teeth inside the charred tree.
During the trial, Forrest denied his involvement in the burning of the body.
However, Justice Dina Yehia said during her sentencing that she was “satisfied” beyond a reasonable doubt of his involvement.
Justice Yehia told the court that while the motive of the murder was not established, the pair were understood to have fallen out over drugs or drug supply.
“I am not satisfied that the murder was premeditated in the sense that it was planned or organised criminal activity,” she said.
“Instead, I am satisfied that the offender was angry with the deceased.”
Forrest was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 20 years.
He will first be eligible for parole on May 4, 2044.
Mr Collisson had previously been convicted of murder in 2000; however, his family told the court he had rebuilt his life after serving his time.
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