Murder accused fronts court on bail as shooting case continues

An Ipswich magistrate has said he was 'disturbed' by discrepancies delaying the case of two men accused of murdering a Logan father in a brawl last year.

Two men accused of murdering a Logan father are currently on bail, while those leading the case against them have been put under fire by a magistrate for potentially “misleading the court”.

Tye Joshua Bickle, 29, of Loganlea, and Brayden Wilson-Knight, 25, of Manoora are both alleged to have been involved in the fatal shooting of Logan dad Carlo Piero Stewart.

Mr Stewart died in July last year after being shot twice during a mass brawl, after which Mr Bickle and Mr Wilson-Knight allegedly fled the scene.

Police alleged at the time that nine people were involved in the brawl, which occurred at Pennell Park on Baden Jones Way, while young children were said to be playing across the road.

Carlo Stewart has been confirmed as the man who died in Tuesday night's fatal shooting at North Booval.

Both Mr Bickle and Mr Wilson-Knight were charged with murder and two counts of grievous bodily harm, while Mr Bickle was further charged with possessing dangerous drugs.

The Ipswich Magistrates Court heard in August, 2022, that police would allege Mr Bickle was the one who shot Mr Stewart.

At the time, Mr Wilson-Knight had already been granted bail, but Mr Bickle was still remanded in custody.

On October 12, 2022, the two men’s matters were mentioned once again in the Ipswich Magistrate’s Court, and Mr Bickle attended court in person, having recently been released on bail.

He was represented by defence lawyer Emily Fackender, who appeared as town agent for Wallace O’Hagan Lawyers.

Tye Joshua Bickle, accused of murder, leaving the Ipswich Courthouse on October 12, 2022. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Ms Fackender said there was outstanding material to be supplied to the defence, as they were still waiting for a statement from the arresting officer, who had been on leave the last three weeks.

She said the defence intended, at this stage, to proceed with an application for cross-examination.

“I also understand … [The prosecution] may be seeking advice about whether certain witnesses are compellable due to the unusual manner in which their statements were drafted,” she said.

Magistrate Dennis Kinsella said “I must say I’m a little disturbed by the friction between what I was told on the last occasion and what I’ve been told now”.

“For the court to be told that the material’s been disclosed when it in fact hasn’t been is misleading the court.”

Mr Wilson-Knight did not appear but was represented by defence lawyer Matt Gemmell who appeared as agent for Phillips Crawford Lawyers.

Mr Kinsella ordered the defence provide a notice outlining the witnesses they intend to question by November 23, that the prosecution respond by December 6.

The matters were next listed for committal mention on December 7, and Mr Bickle and Mr Wilson-Knight’s bail was enlarged.