Alleged murder victim Daniel Eagle a ‘violent standover man’, court hears

Slain Corio father Daniel Eagle was known to carry a knife and had a “violent” reputation about town, a court has been told.

Shooting victim Daniel Eagle had a reputation as a “violent standover man” who regularly carried a weapon, a court has heard.

The Corio father was shot dead after a gunman allegedly opened fire on the Princes Highway in Geelong’s northern suburbs in March last year.

Daniel Eagle for Geelong court

Joshua Rozynski, who has been charged with Eagle’s murder, fronted Geelong Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for the second day of a committal hearing.

It’s alleged Mr Rozynski, 27, pulled a gun on Eagle as he sat in the front seat of a wrecked Ford Territory, moments after it collided with an Australia Post truck.

Witness Christopher Chambers told the court he met Eagle in January last year.

When defence barrister Sam Tovey asked if Eagle had a reputation as a “violent standover man”, Mr Chambers agreed.

Mr Chambers told the court he met Eagle in January last year.

The victim confronted Mr Chambers over what Eagle claimed was an old drug debt.

From then on, Mr Chambers told the court he would regularly supply Eagle with drugs out of fear for his own safety.

He also confirmed he knew Eagle as someone who would regularly carry a knife.

Police investigate shooting fatality on the Princes Highway in Corio. Picture : Ian Currie

“From what I know, it was just something he had,” Mr Chambers said.

“A lot of people are like that.”

It’s also alleged the victim hid a gun at Mr Chambers’ house, and had come to retrieve before his death.

“There was a car waiting (for Eagle) but I don’t know who was in it or if there was anyone in it,” he said.

A string of witnesses gave evidence about the alleged range of the shot, the presence of gunshot residue at the scene and the fatal injuries Eagle suffered.

Police investigate shooting fatality on the Princes Highway in Corio. Picture : Ian Currie

Forensic pathologist Heinrich Bouwer said the victim had suffered a single fatal gunshot wound to the back.

He concurred that it was “not a survivable injury” even with medical assistance.

Another witness, Ryan Yockins, told the court on Thursday that he and a colleague were headed to Melbourne on the morning of the shooting.

After witnessing the crash he was about to leave the truck when he noticed another man “coming out of the shadows” to approach the side of the wrecked Ford Territory.

While Mr Yockins didn’t see the gunshot, he told the court that the gun sounded like a shotgun firing.

The proceedings will continue on Friday.

Originally published as Alleged murder victim Daniel Eagle a ‘violent standover man’, court hears