Cops could re-open the murder case of mafia lawyer Joe Acquaro seeking alternate suspects
Homicide detectives could be forced to re-open the murder case of mafia lawyer Joe Acquaro since he has been confirmed as a supergrass, a court has heard.
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Homicide detectives could be forced to re-open the murder case of mafia lawyer Joe Acquaro since he has been confirmed as a supergrass, a court has heard.
Vincenzo Crupi, 70, was charged in December with gunning down Mr Acquaro outside his Lygon St Gelobar cafe on March 15, 2016.
But Mr Crupi’s lawyer Jim McGarvie told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today he was seeking sensitive materials Victoria Police had already provided to “another body” to be able to outline any alternate suspects in the case.
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He also wished to cross-examine 19 witnesses at an upcoming committal hearing.
All parties in the hearing spoke in riddles referring to “hearings already happening in that other place”, materials being used in “other proceedings” or handed over to “another body”.
The Herald Sun understands they were talking about the royal commission and its probe into the use of police informants.
Mr Acquaro was last month outed as one of six informers, including “Lawyer X” Nicola Gobbo, who the royal commission would investigate if there were any breaches of legal professional privilege.
Brendan Murphy QC, for the chief commissioner of police, told the court all parties should be able to access the materials requested.
“Hearings have already commenced in that other place,” Mr Murphy said.
“Quite clearly VicPol would have more than likely already provided the material.
“It seems to us it is an advantage for both the homicide squad and the accused (to have that material). It may well be they go off and do some more work.”
The court heard Ravenhall prisoner John Glascott, jailed over the murder of solicitor David Robinson in 2006, has also provided further information to police about Mr Acquaro’s murder that needs to be investigated.
It is not known what he has revealed in written correspondence to both the court and police.
When magistrate Sue Cameron asked Mr McGarvie if defence’s interest in the police documents related to alternate suspects, he replied: “That’s correct.”
But Ms Cameron implied the police’s case was not linked to the informer scandal.
“The prosecution are relying on a different motive for which they have a number of witnesses … which hasn’t got anything to do with this issue,” she said.
A motive has not been aired in court, but it is understood to relate to an alleged dispute Mr Acquaro was having with Mr Crupi over renovations he did at the Gelobar.
In an interview with the Herald Sun before his arrest last year, Mr Crupi confirmed police had spoken to him as a suspect in Mr Acquaro’s shooting death — but he denied any involvement.
In fact, Mr Crupi laughed and said “No, no way” when asked if he was the gunman.
Asked if he shot Mr Acquaro as retribution over a dispute about money, and for being blamed for an arson attack on the Gelobar, Mr Crupi said: “Me? Why should I?”
He said he was at home with his wife at the time Mr Acquaro was killed.
Explaining what had happened in today’s hearing to Mr Crupi before disconnecting the video link, Ms Cameron said he may not have understood because “we’ve half-talked in riddles”.
“We’ve been a bit cryptic about all of that because of the sensitivities around it,” she said.
Mr Crupi acknowledged he understood. His case was adjourned to April 17.