Musa Ali Alzuain refused bail after court told he was holding sawn-off shotgun when innocent man Jason De Ieso was killed in bikie ambush
An Olympic boxing hopeful says he’s no murderer and wants to go to Tokyo to compete – but a court has heard he was holding a shotgun when innocent man Jason De Ieso was killed in 2012.
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Jason De Ieso died in a 2012 bikie ambush from a shotgun wound to the head, a court has heard – and prosecutors say an aspiring Olympic boxer was carrying a sawn-off at the time.
On Wednesday, lawyers for Musa Ali Alzuain asked their client be released on bail so he could pursue his dream of competing at next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
They compared him to Zainab Abdirahman-Khalif – acquitted, last week, of terrorism offences – and claimed evidence tying him to murder was “weak”.
However, prosecutor Jim Pearce QC said Alzuain would struggle to secure his release, let alone refute claims he murdered Mr De Ieso – an innocent bystander caught in a bikie feud.
“A witness statement speaks of Alzuain, before the murder, giving directions as to what to do and being present when guns were set out,” he said.
“It’s alleged he was in possession of a sawn-off shotgun at the time of the shooting … Mr De Ieso died as a result of a head wound caused by a sawn-off shotgun.
“Shortly after the shooting, he met up with a witness and handed him a bag, which the witness took as containing guns to be disposed of.
“Two days after the shooting, Alzuain handed the witness another gun … if this evidence is accepted, he’s going to have a long road to hoe in defending these charges.”
Alzuain, 28, is charged alongside his brothers Mohamed, 28, and Husain, 31 – who was, at the time of the shooting, the outlaw gang’s alleged sergeant at arms.
Also charged with murder are Daniel Mark Jalleh, 30, Ross William Montgomery, 34 and Kyle Lloyd Pryde, 31, while Jake Byron Martin-Herde, 31, is charged with assisting an offender.
Previously, prosecutors have alleged the group used a Salisbury home as a “staging point” to plan an assault on the Finks to avenge the firebombing of the Alzuain home.
It is alleged that, after attacking a tattoo parlour, they went to the business owned by Mr De Ieso – who was not a member of any gang – and shot him.
On Wednesday, Marie Shaw QC, for Alzuain, said being seen wearing Hells Angels-brand clothing was not enough to consider someone “an associate” of the gang.
She said that, like Ms Abdirahman-Khalif, her client had been caught up in a “broad definition” of criminality that did not apply to him.
Ms Shaw said the court could be confident Alzuain would abide by any bail conditions imposed.
“Since 2012 he has begun to engage in competitive boxing … he has become quite successful,” she said.
“His sport has been a vehicle for civility and self-discipline … he has at stake his sport, at the highest level in this country.
“He has every reason to adhere to the orders of the court.”
Mr Pearce said Alzuain’s choice of clothing was of great significance to the court’s consideration of bail.
“Wearing ‘supporter’ clothing is limited to ‘prospects’ and ‘hangers-on’ of the club, it identifies them fairly and squarely as an associate,” he said.
“The fact the club is permitting a person to wear that sort of apparel indicates a close association.
“Alzuain has been to the Hells Angels’ clubrooms on and off since the age of 15 … he has an extensive and familial association.
“And, the night before the shooting, he was wearing a Hells Angels T-shirt when he came to inspect the damage caused by the firebombing.”
Magistrate Elizabeth Sheppard refused bail, and declared Alzuain to be a “serious organised crime suspect”, precluding him from seeking bail again for at least six months.
She remanded him in custody to face court again, alongside his co-accused, next month.