One of two men accused of murdering a fellow prisoner has told a magistrate he killed the victim because he was a child sex offender.
Shannon Daniel Norgate, 28, was found unresponsive with significant injuries from an assault at Maryborough Correctional Centre, north of Queensland's Sunshine Coast, on November 26.
He died in hospital on December 1.
READ MORE: Tributes for 'beautiful' 16-year-old killed in quad bike crash
Norgate had been jailed in 2020 for sexually abusing young boys in a shopping centre toilet block.
Fellow prisoners Bodhi James Barry Johnson, 29 and Isaac James Martin, 31, were both charged with murder yesterday.
In a brief Brisbane Magistrates Court appearance today, Martin said he killed Norgate after being told he faced a mandatory life sentence if found guilty of murder.
"That's right, Your Honour. I killed old mate because he was a child molester. I'm not denying anything. I killed him," he said.
Martin appeared via videolink wearing a white prison-issue smock and sporting a beard.
READ MORE: Two charged, two more wanted after 'bonnet up' scam targeting elderly women
Magistrate Aaron Simpson told Martin he should seek legal representation.
"Killing a person does not necessarily mean it's murder. There are different levels of killing a person. A lawyer might be able to help you get the best result if that's the case," Simpson said.
Martin had earlier said he had not applied for legal representation because he had not bothered to do it.
"I'm representing myself, mate," Martin said.
"It's a murder charge," Simpson said.
"All good," Martin said.
Martin was remanded in custody for his case to return to court on March 9.
READ MORE: Police slam 'reckless' thieves for cutting down fire danger warning sign
He was previously sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment in 2023 for unlawfully striking and causing the death of fellow inmate Zlatko Sikorsky, who was awaiting trial for the murder of 16-year-old Larissa Beilby.
Johnson also appeared briefly via videolink wearing a prison-issue green t-shirt.
He was applying for legal representation and was now in custody at Woodford Correctional Centre, north of Brisbane, Simpson heard.
Johnson was remanded in custody for his case to return to court on March 9.
He had been eligible to apply for parole next month while serving a sentence for car theft and arson.
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.