Three Aussies charged with Bali villa execution could face firing squad
Lawyers for one of three Australians accused of a gangland-style execution in Bali facing possible death by firing squad have revealed new details about his case.
Lawyers for one of three Australians accused of a gangland-style execution in Bali said their client admitted transporting his co-accused and buying a hammer used in the ambush along with organising some logistics but was unaware of the violence that would unfold.
Sydney men Darcy Francesco Jenson, 27 and Mevlut Coskun, 22 and Paea I Middlemore Tupou, 26, from Melbourne, were marched hooded and shackled into Badung’s prosecutors’ office under heavy guard on Wednesday where it was confirmed the trio would face trial over the premeditated murder of Zivan “Stipe” Radmanovic in Munggu, Bali, on June 14.
Charges have also been laid over the shooting of gangster Sanar Ghanim, 34, who survived the ambush after Coskun and Tupou allegedly forced their way into the luxury villa while Jenson kept lookout.
Ghanim is the former partner of Danielle Williams, the stepdaughter of slain gangland boss Carl Williams.
Jenson’s lawyers Jupiter G Lalwani and Katharina Nutz said their client admitted transporting his co-accused, Coskun and Tupou, and buying a hammer used in the ambush along with organising some logistics.
But Ms Nutz said Jenson, a plumber, was only trying to help out a mystery “friend” unaware of the violence about to unfold.
Jenson has told them the friend paid for plane tickets, accommodation and expenses.
Previously, Ms Nutz has reportedly said Jenson knew “nothing” about what was in a backpack he allegedly handed his co-accused in a getaway car which police say contained guns, as they dumped them..
“So far Darcy has been cooperative. He is willing to help,” Ms Nutz said.
“As we already said in our previous statement, he was trying to help out a friend.
“He did not know that this is (sic) going to be the end of the help that he has given.”
“The most important thing (is that) he has been cooperative in the process.”
Ms Nutz said Jenson was sorry.
“He feels remorse that somebody died. But of course in the court session you will know what his role is and what his responsibilities are.”
Asked what Jenson believed he was doing with his co-accused before the raid, Ms Nutz said he did not ask questions.
“He was only picking them up so he is not inquisitive about why they are here.”
Mr Lalwani said he did not know “the effect of what he did.”
Indonesian Police confirmed they had completed a “dossier” of evidence after a month-long investigation, which was handed over to prosecutors.
“Yes, we will charge them with premeditated murder, murder, as well as emergency law,” Yusran said.
The “emergency law” charge relates to alleged gun possession.
It is understood none of the “Bali 3” suspects have made any admissions about the shooting.
Police say Jenson has made admissions to police about booking hotels and renting motorbikes.
When police arrived at the crime scene they found Radmanovic’s body in a bathroom while Ghanim was shot up to six times as he escaped his attackers.
Two women also inside the villa, sisters Daniella and Jazmyn Gourdeas – the partners of Ghanim and Radmanovic respectively – were unharmed.
If found guilty of the charges, specifically premeditated murder, the Australians could be executed by firing squad under Indonesian law.
The Australian government opposes the death penalty.
But its opposition has previously been ignored by Indonesia’s government.
In 2015, “Bali 9” drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed despite the pleas of then Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the men to be shown mercy.
Indonesian lawyers have been engaged to defend them while Australian barristers have also been engaged to support them.
In the days after the Bali ambush, Jenson was arrested at an airport in Jakarta attempting to board a plane bound for Singapore en route to Cambodia.
Indonesian police have seized a gun, sledgehammer, vehicles and a blood-stained shirt as part of its investigation.
Weeks after the violence in Bali, Daniella Gourdeas’ South Yarra beauty salon was firebombed.
Ms Gourdeas last month has also been to court in a failed attempt to claim more than $16,000 police seized from Radmanovic just before his death belonged to her.
