‘Spurious’: Lawyer’s spray as eight charged with murdering notorious Qld bikie

Eight people have been charged with murdering a notorious Queensland bikie but the lawyer for the group says some of the charges may not stick.

Eight people, including the son of the alleged former national leader of the Mongols, have been charged with the “execution-style” killing of a notorious rival gang member.

But a defence lawyer for the group says some of the charges are “spurious” as the alleged involvement of some was still contested.

The prolonged police investigation into the murder of ex-Mongols chief Shane Bowden came to a head after an arresting blitz across southeast Queensland at the weekend.

Police have arrested and charged eight people with the murder of former Mongols bikie Shane Bowden (pictured) in October last year.

Haydn Thomas Forbes, 25, Junior Jasmine Torope, 29, Fidel Gunes, 29, David Steven Meatuai, 41, Junior Jasmine Mau’u, 23, Joshua James Small, 29, and Peter Michael Cummins, 35, are each facing one count of murder with an aggravating circumstance of serious organised crime.

On Monday, defence lawyer Michael Gatenby asked for all eight matters to be adjourned to the next call-over date in August.

Haydn Forbes is the son of notorious Gold Coast bikie Nick “the Knife” Forbes, who is alleged to have top ties with the Mongols gang.

Ian Ronald Crowden, 46, who is the president of the Brisbane West Mongols chapter, was also charged with murder on Saturday.

Police say the arrests have “decimated” an entire chapter of the bikie gang.

Outside court, Mr Gatenby said it was no secret the men were being investigated over the alleged murder but Mr Crowden was “taken by surprise” over his alleged link to the killing and would fight the charges.

“At the moment, some of the charges are quite spurious: some people have almost no involvement,” Mr Gatenby said.

He took aim at the police’s statements over the club being “decimated”.

“I’d be very surprised if the murder charge stuck in relation to the bulk of the men as a prima facie case,” he said.

“Police have been talking a lot of things in recent days: it seems they’ve got a political agenda.

“I think there’s been too much talk and it’s quite disappointing that’s occurred.”

While none of the men applied for bail, Mr Gatenby said applications in the Supreme Court were pending.

All eight will return to court on August 2.

Bowden, who patched over to the Finks bikie gang, was gunned down outside his Gold Coast home last year.

CCTV footage captured his final moments as two gunmen shot him 21 times just after midnight on October 12.

The motive for the shooting is alleged to be linked to Bowden’s falling out with the Mongols.

One of the alleged getaway cars linked to the murder, captured on CCTV camera.

Police allege Crowden is responsible for “counselling, directing and financing” the murder.

South Eastern Police Regional Crime Coordinator, Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith, said the arrests were a significant move against organised crime.

“The numbers involved are unprecedented and will be nationally significant,” he said.

“It points to the true nature of these gangs but importantly the ability of law enforcement to break their so-called loyalty and code of silence, and bring them to justice.

“The murder of Shane Bowden involved significant planning by those involved, resulting in a long and complicated investigation, but the dedication of the investigative team and our specialised units has borne fruit.”

Originally published as ‘Spurious’: Lawyer’s spray as eight charged with murdering notorious Qld bikie