A south-east Queensland man who was high on drugs when he set his sleeping friend on fire five years ago has been sentenced to life in jail for murder.
David Charles Edgerley faced an eight-day trial in the Supreme Court in Brisbane, accused of murdering Victor Graveson at his Alexandra Hills home in September 2017.
The 39-year-old, who had been living with Mr Graveson, pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder, however the prosecution did not accept the lesser plea.
After less than a day of deliberations, a jury convicted Edgerley of murder.
During the trial, the court heard "without warning" Edgerley had poured petrol on and around Mr Graveson while he was asleep, before igniting his bedroom.
After the 65-year-old erupted into flames, Edgerley had tried to block him from escaping and getting help.
Mr Graveson managed to flee when another housemate intervened, but he died in hospital three days later after sustaining burns to 80 per cent of his body.
The court heard Edgerley said several "peculiar things" after the attack, including claiming Mr Graveson had raped one of his relatives, and that he was part of the royal family.
'Irrational thoughts'
Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco acknowledged Edgerley's drug use had caused him to have "irrational thoughts" but urged the jury to find the killing had been intentional.
"Mr Edgerley committed this unspeakable act of violence against the deceased because he was intoxicated by methylamphetamine that he had voluntarily taken," she said.
Defence lawyers for Edgerley argued their client's drug use had significantly impacted his mental state meaning he had diminished criminal responsibility.
Edgerley also gave evidence, telling the court he had paranoid thoughts and heard voices who told him to set fire to Mr Graveson's room, but maintained he had never meant to seriously hurt him.
After the verdict was handed down, Edgerley stood up in the dock and said sorry.
"I just want to apologise to the family for my behaviour and actions," he said.
'Gutless, callous and evil'
During a sentencing hearing, Mr Graveson's niece Tammy Davis read a victim impact statement to the court from her and one from her mother, Gloria, who was his sister.
"I will never forget Vic's eyes and the deathly colour of his skin just falling off him," Gloria's impact statement said.
"The horrific sight will stay with me forever."
Gloria's statement said Edgerley had committed a "horrific, cowardly act" against her brother, who deserved to feel safe in his own home.
"Edgerley not only took Vic's life, he ruined ours," he said.
Ms Davis told the court her family had suffered "five years of sadness".
"We have lost a beautiful caring family member all because of you," she said.
"It was gutless, callous and evil."
The court heard Edgerley had a criminal history in both Queensland and overseas, which demonstrated previous "irrational violence".
When handing down her sentence, Justice Soraya Ryan described his offending as "horrific" and said it caused Mr Graveson's family great distress
"This man they loved was rendered unrecognisable by your crime," she said.
"Those who loved him are still suffering raw grief."
Edgerley, who has been in custody since his arrest, will have to serve at least another 15 years in jail before being eligible for parole.
