Man convicted of murdering Scott Johnson at gay beat claims confession made due to fear of his wife, Sydney court hears

Scott Phillip White long denied murdering mathematician found at the bottom of Manly cliffs in 1988 before stating I am guilty' at pre-trial hearing

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A mathematician's convicted murderer wants to recall his unexpected guilty plea after claiming he confessed out of fear his wife could come after him, a Sydney appeal court has heard.

Scott Phillip White had long denied murdering Scott Johnson who was found at the bottom of cliffs at Manly in 1988, before stating guilty, I am guilty" during a pre-trial hearing in January this year.