The man accused of carrying out a deadly shooting in Darwin more than two years ago is expected to face a jury for nine weeks from today.
Benjamin Glenn Hoffmann, 47, is charged with four counts of murder, as well as a series of other charges including recklessly endangering life.
His lawyers have previously indicated he intends to plead not guilty.
Mr Hoffmann is accused of killing four men – Hassan Baydoun, Michael Sisois, Nigel Hellings and Robert Courtney – during a series of alleged shootings in Darwin’s inner suburbs in June 2019.
The alleged rampage resulted in five crime scenes being declared across Darwin CBD and suburbs, including the Peter McAulay Centre, which is Darwin’s police headquarters.
Mr Hoffmann will be represented by high-profile Darwin barrister Jon Tippet QC as well as solicitor Peter Maley.
Former New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions, Lloyd Babb SC took over the prosecution case after NT deputy DPP, Matthew Nathan, resigned earlier this year.
Mr Babb will appear alongside local prosecutor Tami Grealy.
ACT Supreme Court Judge John Burns will preside over the nine-week trial, after travelling from interstate.
The trial was originally scheduled to begin in March 2021 but was delayed at the last minute after Mr Hoffmann’s lawyer told the NT Supreme Court his client had not had enough time to review the evidence against him.
The court has previously heard around 150 witnesses could be called throughout the trial.
A maximum of 15 jurors could be sworn in.
