69 Year Old Vigilante Stormed Hidden Valley

A 62 year old man was tracked down in the White Pages and murdered.

Crime: Murder

Occurred: 23 November 2011

Where: Hidden Valley

Sentenced:  28 February 2013

Convicted:  Clarence Stanley Nelson

Victim:  Graeme Benney

What happened?
Clarence and Graeme were acquainted through their wives, who were first cousins.  The two families spent a lot of time together while their children were young.  It was common for the kids to sleep in one room when the families were socialising.  However, the friendship drifted apart when Graeme and his wife separated in 1989.

In 2000, Clarence's children, now adults, reported among themselves instances of molestation at the hands of Graeme Benney and also Clarence's brother, Gregory Nelson.  No one went to the police regarding these allegations.

However, word did get to Clarence, and it appears he experienced some anger and held a grudge, for 11 years later he met an acquaintance at a shopping centre and produced a bullet from his pocket, describing it as intended for his brother.

In November 2011, following an instance where Clarence licked the inside of his 5 year old granddaughter's ear, one of Clarence's daughters alleged that Clarence had molested her until she was 15 years old.  Following a confrontation outside his son's home, Clarence's son told him "I know what you did...I'm going to bring your world undone.  You're fucked."

Clarence was unable to contact his daughter who made the accusations.  Instead, he walked into the garage and emerged with a 9mm semi-automatic pisto and ammunition.  The first target was his brother, but Clarence was unable to track down Gregory through the White Pages and family enquiries.

Clarence then turned to tracking down Graeme.  He drove to Graeme's address, arriving at roughly 8:15pm, whereupon he went inside and had a superficial, pleasant conversation with both Graeme and his wife.  Clarence then asked Graeme to join him outside to inspect some panel damage on his car.  Once outside, Clarence reached into his car, pulled out the gun and shot Graeme three times, saying "This will teach you, you bastard, for everything you've done" while Grame's wife stood nearby.

Graeme died of blood loss and internal organ trauma.  He suffered wounds in the heart, lung, stomach, bowel and kidney.

Later that evening, Clarence turned himself in at the Epping Police Station.

Victim's background
Graeme was 62 when he died.  He remarried in 1993 and lived in Hidden Valley with his family.  He leaves behind a widow, children and grandchildren.

A 9mm semi-automatic similar to the model used by Clarence (source).

Convicted's background
Clarence was 69 at the time of the murder.  He was born the eldest of eight children.  His father was a World War II veteran, who returned home to Australia injured and alcoholic.  Clarence grew up suffering physical abuse at the hands of his father and was also molested between the ages of nine and 12 by his father's friend.  He was pressured into a sexual relationship with his mother's best friend when he was 14.

Clarence finished Year 10 at a technical school and became a fitter and turner.  Successful in his career, he was an engineering manager at Carlton and United Breweries until he needed quadruple bypass surgery in 1990.

Clarence was a well-regarded member of his local parish and cared for his wife who suffered from a mental illness.  He had no prior convictions before the murder.

When first imprisoned, he attempted suicide.  He continues to suffer health issues today.  In sentencing, the judge remarked that he may die in prison.

Outcome of trial: Clarence pleaded guilty and no trial was necessary.

Sentence: 12 years before eligible for parole, 18 years maximum.

You can read the judgment here.  News articles are available here and here.

Hidden Valley (source).