Samurai sword murder accused granted bail with $493,000 surety

AN actor accused of murdering a rapper with a samurai sword in Forest Lodge has been granted bail with his parents agreeing to stump up half a million dollars as security.

Jett McKee died after allegedly being struck in the head with a samurai sword in Forest Lodge on August 10.

AN actor accused of murdering a rapper with a samurai sword in Forest Lodge has been granted bail with his parents agreeing to stump up half a million dollars as security.

Appearing via videolink from Long Bay Prison Hospital, a visibly agitated Blake Davis trembled and at times cried through his NSW Supreme Court bail hearing on Tuesday.

Justice Stephen Rothman granted him bail with strict conditions including electronic monitoring, a $493,000 surety, curfew and daily reports to Springwood Police Station near to where he will be staying with his mother in Lawson.

Justice Rothman said he found it “pathetic” the Crown could not provide any evidence to the court that Mr Davis posed a flight risk or would commit another murder or serious offence beyond the charge against him.

Mr Davis, 29, and his girlfriend Hannah Quinn, 24, have been charged with the murder of rapper Jett McKee, who was found dead with a massive head wound in Hereford St on August 10.

Blake Davis, who has been charged with McKee’s murder, was granted bail.

Mr Davis, an actor who appeared in the TV series Housos, has also been banned from going near Forest Lodge, to safeguard witnesses, or Redfern, where Ms Quinn is staying with her mother Megan.

This was after Megan Quinn requested that Mr Davis not be allowed near her daughter, house or any family members.

Mr Davis’s lawyer Philip Strickland SC told the court the Crown case for murder was “weak” in light of McKee’s invasion of the couple’s home wearing a balaclava and carrying a replica pistol. He said the Crown would have difficulty excluding extreme provocation as a partial defence.

He added “the evidence appears to be compelling that the deceased struck the accused with something”.

“A balaclava (wearing) intruder has sought to rob him and has inflicted serious violence upon him and has threatened both of them that other people are coming to get them,” Mr Strickland said.

“His perception of danger in front of his girlfriend at the time is real.”

The family and supporters of Blake Davis presented a united front as they left the Supreme Court on Tuesday after Mr Davis was granted bail.

Justice Rothman said the Crown would face “some difficulty based on the material before the court” in negating subjective elements in self-defence or in the defence of another, after noting Ms Quinn’s version of events.

“(Quinn) states the deceased punched at her, lost his balance and fell to his knees and then he pointed a gun at her and it was at that point that (Mr Davis) hit the deceased with a samurai sword,” he said.

“There are also very good grounds for provocation defences to arise.”

Hannah Quinn is surrounded by family after leaving court when she was granted bail. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/The Daily Telegraph

Mr Strickland also argued Mr Davis’ mental condition, whether it be diagnosed as post traumatic stress disorder or severe anxiety, would jeopardise his ability to present himself “fairly and properly” at trial if he remained in jail.

Prosecutor James Ly opposed bail.

Following a “wrestle” between Ms Quinn and McKee, who she had chased down the street, Mr Ly said an eyewitness stated McKee was “on his knees and elbows” before Mr Davis allegedly delivered a fatal blow to McKee’s head with the sword.

“This version is inconsistent with the version (Quinn) provides,” Mr Ly said.

Mr Ly argued Mr Davis was receiving sufficient mental health care in prison and raised safety concerns for eye witnesses who had provided statements to police.

“The witnesses all reside in Hereford St and he’s therefore aware of their location and names and the crown submits that there is a risk in relation to that,” Mr Ly said.

Mr Ly argued Mr Davis posed a flight risk and could commit another serious offence, “by virtue” of the charge laid against him.

“Frankly I find that pathetic,” said Justice Rothman, who described Mr Davis as a “clean skin” as he had never before been convicted of a criminal offence or been before a court.