Tyson Stamp, Max Lowcock, Adam Garvey: Trial set for role in alleged shooting of David King at Salt Ash
Three men accused of alleged roles in the shooting death of drug dealer David King at Salt Ash in 2021 will have to wait more than a year before they can fight their charges.
Newcastle
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Three men charged over their alleged involvement in the shooting death of drug dealer David King will have to wait more than a year before they get to fight the charges and head to trial.
Police allege Tyson Stamp, 28, Max Lowcock, 29, and Adam Garvey, 40 all played differing roles when the 45-year-old was allegedly shot in the face at close range in his vehicle at Salt Ash on August 29 last year, in what’s believed to be a drug deal gone wrong.
In the Supreme Court on Friday the trio fronted court via video link to be arraigned but with the Crown “endeavouring to settle the indictment” for Garvey, that will be delayed until February next year.
But Judge Roy Ellis cited that Newcastle trial dates filled up “very quickly” and a trial date for January 24, 2024 was set for all three men.
That date means the accused men will have to wait more than a year for their trial, due to a backlog of trials already scheduled in Newcastle.
Lowcock and Stamp pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, kidnapping, being armed with an offensive weapon and possession of an unauthorised weapon.
While Garvey pleaded not guilty to concealing the alleged murder, hindering a police investigation, detaining a person in company and possession of an unauthorised firearm.
A fourth man, Elijah Cage, has also been charged with murder, kidnapping, robbery armed with an offensive weapon, possession of an unauthorised weapon and an extra charge of aggravated sexual assault, but has not yet entered a plea.
Police allege Cage had organised the drug deal of about half an ounce of methamphetamine, but had attempted to rob Mr King – who was on bail for drug dealing offences – before he sped away in his vehicle.
But detectives allege that either Cage or Lowcock had shot the 45-year-old twice in the neck and head before his vehicle slammed into a tree.
Police allege Stamp was the getaway driver in a Hyundai Santa Fe, using it to transport people from the crime scene at Salt Ash, before setting it alight at Heatherbrae.
While he did not fire the shotgun, police allege he was at the scene at the time of the shooting.
Stamp has pleaded guilty to a charge of destroying that Hyundai and setting it alight.
Police also allege a woman, who was with Mr King but not involved in the alleged murder, was detained by the three men before being released without harm.
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