A man who killed the brother of a former NRL star in a “brutal and senseless” murder stole cash from the deceased man as he lay on the road before fleeing to the Sunshine Coast to avoid detection.
The horrific detail surrounding the death of Jake Opacic, the brother of former Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels star Tom Opacic, was revealed as Benjamin Charles Johnson and Steven Dale Latter pleaded guilty to the young man’s manslaughter. 29 years old on the outskirts of Queensland. prison, all linked to a dispute over a relationship.
Both men appeared to wipe away tears as Rhonda Opacic, Jake’s mother, told the Brisbane Supreme Court of her anguish at losing her “wild, funny, loyal and loving” son in such a “brutal” act.
Jake Opacic (pictured) died while riding his motorcycle in 2021. Two men pleaded guilty to his manslaughter in a chase designed to intimidate him.
Jake is the brother of NRL star Tom Opacic (pictured), who played for the Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels.
She spoke of her last words to her son as she packed her bags for the weekend on the Gold Coast and how she was haunted by the horrendous circumstances of his death.
“They chased him and left him to die alone on the ground on the side of the road,” Ms Opacic read in her victim impact statement.
‘Did he suffer? Did you regain consciousness? My name is?
‘My mind is spinning around these questions. I’m trying to understand why they tried to hit him.
Opacic died in a crash near Numinbah Correctional Center in the Gold Coast hinterland on July 2, 2021.
The court was told he had gone to the prison to pick up his then-girlfriend Rheannon Rowe, who was due to be released that day.
Johnson and Latter had spent the previous day doing drugs and discussed Johnson’s “perceived slight” and Ms Rowe’s continuing relationship with Mr Opacic.
Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane said Johnson and Rowe had been in a relationship for 12 years and had had several children together.
Crane said there was a “contemplation” of physical violence with Opacic when they also decided to pick Rowe up from jail.
Steven Dale Latter was behind the wheel of the car that hit and killed Opacic. He then stole cash off his back as he lay dying.
Benjamin Charles Johnson (pictured) was angry at Opacic for his relationship with his ex-girlfriend Rheannon Rowe.
The conversation included Johnson saying, “I’m going to get Rheannon and try Opacic.”
Crane said Latter had also discussed going there to observe and promised to “intervene” if Johnson began to “lose.”
On the day of Rowe’s release, the pair almost confronted Opacic after their car broke down near the prison.
The court was told an aggressive Johnson claimed Opacic “stole” his girlfriend and said: “He’s taken my whole family, I’m going to kill him.”
Mr Opacic then sped away on his motorcycle.
Crane said Latter drove his car, with Johnson in the passenger seat, in pursuit and at some point collided with Opacic’s motorcycle.
His “serious” injuries were consistent with being hit while lying in the road or being bounced in the collision, Crane said.
The court was told Johnson (left, pictured with Ms Rowe) had said words such as “he’s taken my whole family, I’m going to kill him” while outside prison before Opacic’s death.
“The latter caused what the Crown considers to be a serious form of criminal negligence,” he said.
“And Johnson encouraged or motivated Latter to drive that way.”
The court was told Latter then stole a backpack containing $10,200 from Mr Opacic as he lay on the road.
He then took a flight to the Sunshine Coast that night to avoid detection, Crane said.
Opacic intended to use the money to travel with Rowe, the court was told.
In her victim impact statement, Opacic said she would always cherish the birthday and Mother’s Day cards her son spent hours choosing for her.
“Jake made an unforgettable impression on everyone he met,” he said.
“He was good with children and wanted to have his own children.”
She said her son died without peace or dignity and that his death left a void in her life that “can never be filled.”
“The last thing I said to him was, ‘See you around, have fun,'” he said of his son’s last words to him.
“If I had known this was the last time we spoke, I would have never let him go.”
Johnson and Latter had pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, and Latter also pleaded guilty to a single count of theft of property.
Crane asked for sentences of no less than 10 years for both.
Lawyers for Johnson and Latter said their clients had expressed remorse for their actions and wrote letters of apology to the Opacic family.
Lawyer Angus Edwards, representing Johnson, said his client had been exposed to a “prejudiced childhood” and abuse while growing up, turning to drug abuse as a defense mechanism.
The court was told that the chase was only aimed at intimidating Mr Opacic.
Latter’s lawyer said his client had also struggled with drug use, which had increased after the death of his parents.
He explained that Latter was a “reluctant” participant.
Judge Glenn Martin will hand down his sentence later on Thursday.
