A man who shot dead one man and kidnapped two others in a drug-fuelled rampage has been sentenced to 28 years in jail.
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Christopher Hillman, 46, pleaded guilty to the murder of Jake Williams who he shot in the neck after an argument.
The pair had been at a house in Frankston in Melbourne's southeast on September 18, 2021, often used as a "drop-in" for drug use.
Victorian Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth on Friday ordered Hillman spend 28 years in prison with a non-parole period of 23 years.
This included 23 years for murder, 18 months for firearm offences, six months for assault and five years for each kidnap.
The two men were in a bedroom with others smoking meth when an argument broke out over comments Mr Williams made about another friend.
The row escalated and the other occupants left the room when Hillman grabbed a shotgun, pointed the barrel at Mr Williams' legs and threatened to shoot.
As Mr Williams turned his back to exit the room, Hillman fired the gun and hit him in the neck, killing him.
Justice Hollingworth said the killing was part of a "brief, spontaneous, drug-fuelled altercation".
"I accept that Mr Williams' comments may have been offensive to you, but they did not justify you resorting to violence, let alone lethal violence," she said.
The judge said while Hillman had apologised to his kidnapping victims, even during the act, he had expressed little remorse for killing Mr Williams.
After the murder, Hillman left the house with one person recounting how he had blood on his face and was apologising for shooting the victim.
Police found Mr Williams' body in a pool of blood during a welfare check, sparking a manhunt for the killer.
Justice Hollingworth said Hillman had been made paranoid by his long history with police, including being assaulted by officers as a teenager.
"You have also experienced brief psychotic episodes, which have become more extended when you were using drugs," she said.
"You believe your fear of police is well founded.
"You often feel like members of the general public are staring at you, conspiring with police or making fun of you."
Hillman had entered additional guilty pleas to two charges of kidnapping, one charge of assault and possessing a firearm.
He was on the run from police following the shooting and had been deemed dangerous.
He threatened a man who was at the house on the night, holding a gun to him as he demanded he drive him to another home.
Six days after the murder, high on ice and in a state of paranoia, Hillman kidnapped two innocent people in Frankston, held them at gunpoint and demanded to be driven to Seaford.
The male kidnapping victim no longer feels safe living at home and is constantly anxious.
Hillman was eventually captured after calling police from the home of an ex-partner where he admitted shooting Mr Williams.
Officers found him unconscious in the roof space of the home after he had consumed drugs.
Justice Hollingworth said the sentences would run partially concurrent and result in a 28-year total.
This would include the almost three years Hillman has already served.
Australian Associated Press
