A Western Australian Supreme Court suppression order was lifted on March 5, 2025, allowing the public identification of Benjamin Luke Johnston, 43, as the convicted sniper in the 2020 murder of former Rebels bikie leader Nick Martin.
Johnston, a former army reservist, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in December 2021. He was hired by David James Pye, a member of the Comancheros bikie gang, for $150,000 to kill Martin; Johnston was paid $100,000.
The Shooting
On December 12, 2020, Nick Martin was shot and killed while attending a drag racing event at the Perth Motorplex in Kwinana. Johnston fired from a distance of 365 meters using a .308-caliber rifle. The single gunshot also struck Ricky Chapman, Martin's son-in-law, who was sitting behind him. Chapman survived his injuries.
Perpetrator Background
Johnston was a former Australian Army Reservist and an artillery gunner. Prior to the murder, he conducted surveillance on Martin, including flying a drone over Martin’s home and approaching him at the racetrack. On one occasion, Johnston moved a safety ramp to clear his line of sight. Johnston had a public social media presence under the nickname "Bj," featuring videos of BASE jumping and other stunts.
The Hiring and Payment
According to court testimony, Johnston met David Pye via Instagram while working for a medical charity in Iraq. Johnston later asked Pye for MDMA, and Pye allegedly offered to supply a kilogram. Pye then offered Johnston $150,000 to kill Martin. After the shooting, Pye sent Johnston emojis depicting a coffin and clapping, and paid him $100,000.
Legal Proceedings
David Pye
David Pye, 43, was convicted in Western Australia’s Supreme Court of the murder of Nick Martin. He was also found guilty of attempting to arrange the murders of his ex-girlfriend and rival bikie Raymond Cilli, and of a charge related to the bodily harm caused to Ricky Chapman. Justice Joseph McGrath presided over the trial without a jury, citing heightened security concerns. Pye was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 34 years. The sentence was backdated to 2021, with concurrent sentences for other offenses. Pye’s lawyer, Paul Holmes, stated an appeal would be lodged.
Benjamin Luke Johnston
Johnston was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of Nick Martin. This sentence included a discount for his cooperation with authorities and his testimony against Pye. In December 2024, Johnston applied to the Supreme Court for the suppression order to be lifted, citing negative impacts on his prison life, including issues with mail delivery, visit booking, and university enrollment. Justice McGrath granted the application, noting that the prison population already knew Johnston’s identity. Johnston is eligible for parole after 18 years. Following the lifting of the order, he was returned to protective custody.
Court Testimony
During the trial, Johnston gave evidence from a separate glass cubicle. He testified to being an experienced assassin and stated that he had worked security for charities in Iraq and Syria. He also described his recruitment by Pye. Justice McGrath found Johnston’s testimony to be credible and reliable, despite defense attempts to discredit it.
Key Timelines and Statements
- December 2020: Nick Martin is shot and killed at the Perth Motorplex.
- December 2021: Benjamin Luke Johnston is sentenced to 20 years for the murder.
- Late October: David Pye was returned to prison after being granted bail during the trial for medication access issues.
- March 5, 2025: The suppression order on Johnston’s identity is lifted.
- May 13, 2025: David Pye is scheduled for sentencing.