A cold-blooded murderer has launched a foul-mouthed tirade as he was handed one of the longest prison sentences in South Australian history.
Keith Yandle, 48, was today sentenced to a minimum of 32 years in prison for the 2023 shooting murder of Steven Murphy at his Kudla property, north of Adelaide.Â
The crime was labelled “calculated, ruthless and inhumane” by the judge.
The court heard that Murphy, a father of two, was sleeping rough and had broken into Yandle’s shed.Â
Disturbing CCTV footage revealed Yandle found Murphy unarmed and cowering.Â
Instead of contacting police, Yandle shot him four times, before watching and waiting for his victim to die.
After his sentence was delivered, Yandle launched a foul tirade.
“You think you’re good people, but you’re a bunch of c—-,” he said.
Sean Murphy, the victim’s uncle, expressed his grief and anger at the murderer.Â
“He’s a worthless grub. He’ll die a lonely old man in prison for the rest of his worthless life. He’s going to have to reflect on what he did,” he said.
“I held Steven as a baby and he’s been a beautiful man ever since and Keith Yandle chose to end a beautiful life.”
Murphy’s body was discovered buried in a pit inside the shed more than a month after the murder.
The court was told Yandle has the support of his family, although none were present during the sentencing. The judge noted Yandle will be nearly 80 years old before becoming eligible for parole.
“Today’s the end of the court case but it’s not the end of Steven,” Murphy said.
“His legacy will live on in his boys and the memories we all have of him.”
