Prisoners deny plot to murder judges

Two prisoners have denied taking part in a revenge plot to murder two South Australian judges and burn down a police officer's home.

Frederick Bernard Walkuski, 63, and Hendrik Gysbertus Van Schaik, 42, pleaded not guilty to a string of charges in the Supreme Court on Monday.

Prosecutors have alleged the murder plot was retribution by Walkuski against Judge Paul Rice, who imposed a 17-year prison sentence on him in the District Court.

He allegedly offered to pay fellow inmate Van Schaik to carry out the attacks, which police feared were imminent when they arrested the men in August.

They pleaded not guilty to conspiring to murder Judge Rice and his wife Judge Rosemary Davey, between May 12 and August 4.

They also denied conspiring to endanger the lives of Judge Rice and Detective Inspector Craig Wall through arson, in retribution for acts carried out in their official duties.

They pleaded not guilty to conspiring to endanger the life of Judge Davey through arson and to damage a motor vehicle by fire.

Walkuski also denied soliciting Van Schaik to murder the two judges.

The nature of both men's previous offences, as well as the length of Van Schaik's sentence, are subject to suppression orders.

The case was adjourned to December 19 for a direction hearings.