Adam John Murphy granted bail on murder charge over execution-style murder of bikie Shane Bowden

One of the 10 men charged over the execution-style murder of bikie Shane Bowden has been granted bail after a judge found the circumstantial case against him was “relatively weak”.

One of the men charged over the execution-style murder of bikie Shane Bowden has been granted bail after a judge found the circumstantial case against him was “relatively weak”.

Adam John Murphy was one of 10 members of the Mongols Outlaw Motorcycle Gang accused of murdering Finks bikie Mr Bowden in a late-night ambush at his Gold Coast home in October 2020.

Mr Bowden was shot 21 times in his garage by two men who fled to a waiting Holden Commodore – one of two vehicles police alleged were purchased solely to be used in the alleged rival motorcycle gang hit.

Prosecutors on Friday objected to Murphy being released, alleging he was responsible for housing two of the getaway cars in the days before the murder and for helping to dispose of clothing and firearms after Bowden’s death.

Outlaw Motorcycle Gang member Shane Bowden was shot 21 times in his garage by two men who fled to a waiting Holden Commodore.

Principal Crown Prosecutor Greg Cummings said it was significant that Murphy had merely been an associate of the OMCG prior to the murder but his membership was expedited in the months after and he became a fully patched member, bypassing the usual prospect and probationary period.

Mr Cummings said evidence from an expert in OMCG behaviours indicated it was “completely irregular and completely unusual for a person to be expedited as a patched member”.

“There usually has to be a very good reason for it … becoming a patched member requires a quite significant process,” he said.

“The person has to remain in good standing, be nominated by another person, usually they’re admitted by unanimous vote after they’ve demonstrated good standing for a long period of time so the question is what exactly was it that justified Mr Murphy’s expedition?”

He said the expert evidence also indicated Murphy being patched in would put him at the mercy of stricter club rules and “disciplinary obligations”, including a requirement to maintain a “wall of silence”.

“His becoming a patched member in an expedited manner suggests firstly he was involved, secondly even if you’re not prepared to draw that inference then there’s also the aspect that he owes the MC more because of his expedited patching than would normally be the case,” Mr Cummings said.

“There is more of a control of him by MCG to maintain his patched membership.”

Mr Cummings argued against Murphy being released on bail, saying there was a risk of further reoffending and obstructing justice.

“We have a concrete indication that he is well recognised as important in demonstrating that members remain staunch to the cause,” he said.

“However one views what happened to Mr Bowden, it was a complex plan carried out over months involving a number of people and the only thing that really preserves most of the people involved is a wall of silence.

“Mr Murphy is a significant risk in maintaining that wall of silence and preventing or obstructing justice in that way.”

Defence barrister Sarah Thompson said Murphy was prepared to sever contact with the club if released on bail.

Bowden was allegedly killed in a late-night ambush at his Gold Coast home in October 2020.

“What’s important is that he is prepared to not only have no contact with the co-accused but also with no members of the Mongols who are not charged in relation to the offence so he’s stepping away from the club itself,” she said.

“Whilst my learned friend made a submission he hasn’t disavowed his membership, (the proposed bail conditions) effectively do, to not have contact with members of motorcycle clubs.”

Justice Shaun Cooper said none of the material before him alleged that Murphy participated directly in the murder of Mr Bowden

“The case against the applicant is that the two cars, the Commodore and the Falcon, had been left at the applicant’s address for a period of time,” Justice Cooper said.

“It is then alleged as a matter of inference that the applicant participated in the disposal of clothing worn by the perpetrators and the firearms used in the shooting.”

Justice Cooper said he was satisfied Mr Murphy, who has already spent about a year on remand, should be released on bail, noting his significant ties to the jurisdiction, good family support, and the offer of employment.

“Given the limited scope of the applicant’s alleged involvement and the circumstantial nature of the evidence relied upon to establish that involvement I am satisfied on the basis before me that the crown’s case against the app for murder appears to be relatively weak,” he said.