Supreme Court told alleged murderer Thomas Nichols has new lawyers but Victor Codea trial may clash with Jason De Ieso case
The Adelaide High murder trial has survived its “wrecking ball” moment – only to collide with the biggest criminal case in the state’s history.
Police & Courts
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One of Victor Codea’s alleged murderers has new lawyers – but the future of the trial may depend on legal manoeuvring in the biggest criminal case in South Australian history.
In the Supreme Court on Wednesday, top barrister Jane Abbey KC and solicitor Jason Evitts said they were preparing to represent Thomas Nichols, 31, in his postponed trial.
Their availability, however, may clash with that of other counsel in the trial – who are also acting in the impending Jason De Ieso “bikie ambush” case.
Mr Nichols, Jeremy Dale Sandell, 25, Kain Mazomenos, 26, and Thomas Pinnington, 25, have each pleaded not guilty to murder.
Prosecutors allege the August 2020 ambush of Mr Codea was a response to bad online reviews of drugs sold by Sandell, who has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
On Monday, the trial was knocked off-course by a “wrecking ball” when Mr Nichols’ original counsel withdrew from the case, saying they could no longer represent him.
On Wednesday, Ms Abbey told Justice Adam Kimber that she and Mr Evitts had received instructions and were in the process of receiving all the evidence in the case.
She asked for a further adjournment until Monday in order to ascertain when they would be ready to proceed with the trial.
Asked if she had availability “in the next couple of weeks”, she confirmed that she did – however, other counsel said that potentially raised another issue.
Both Bill Boucaut KC, for Sandell, and Grant Algie KC, for Mr Pinnington, are also acting for defendants accused of murdering innocent bystander Jason De Ieso.
Their clients are among eight men, alleged to be either Hells Angels bikies or gang associates, set to stand trial over the 2012 shotgun ambush at Mr De Ieso’s business.
That trial is expected to be the biggest in state history, with estimates of more than 50 counsel and court staff involved in proceedings.
On Wednesday, Mr Boucaut said the De Ieso matter was due to commence three weeks of pre-trial legal argument on October 31, potentially clashing with the Codea trial.
Justice Kimber, however, said there would be “no decisions today” about start dates, and adjourned until Monday for further consideration.
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