North Motton, Tasmania: Leigh Sushames to be sentenced over the death of Constable Keith Smith

A man who murdered a beloved police officer who was attempting to serve a home repossession order will be sentenced for the “execution-style” shooting.

Constable Keith Smith, 57, arrived with colleagues at the rural property of Leigh Geoffrey Sushames in north-west Tasmania on June 16, 2025.

There he encountered Sushames, who was crouched behind a blue Ford Falcon in the carport, holding a rifle.

Const Smith asked Sushames how he was going.

He replied “not good” before standing up and shooting Const Smith twice.

Sushames, who pleaded guilty to murder as well as the aggravated assault of another police officer, will be sentenced in the Supreme Court of Tasmania in Burnie on Friday.

In May, the court was told Sushames knew Const Smith would be returning to his North Motton home on June 16 to deliver the repossession order.

Sushames had fallen behind on mortgage repayments and had earlier told a friend he would kill anyone who tried to take his house off him.

Crown prosecutor Daryl Coates said the murder was “little more than an execution”.

Sushames has been unable to explain why he did what he did and has scant recollection of the day, his lawyer Greg Richardson said.

Const Smith, who served for 25 years, was farewelled with a police funeral and full ceremonial honours, with people lining the streets.

A community policing award has been named in his honour, while a laneway near the station where he worked is now “Keith Smith Lane”.

A ceremony was held to mark the first anniversary of his death, with his love of cycling and a catch-up over a hot brew fondly remembered.

Const Smith always took the time to make sure people felt seen and was genuinely dedicated to his community, Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams said.

“Keith’s influence continues to shape how we serve and how we care for our community every day,” she said.