Serious charges against Daniel Connors discharged by a magistrate

A magistrate has made a call on former Richmond player Daniel Connors’ charges after he was involved in a car chase where shots were fired from a stolen vehicle.

Serious criminal charges laid against former Richmond footballer Daniel Connors after he was involved in a terrifying high-speed car chase have been thrown out by a magistrate.

Connors, who played for the Tigers between 2007 and 2012, was slapped with seven charges after the violent car chase on Christmas Eve last year in which shots were fired from a stolen vehicle.

Dressed in a suit with a blue tie, the 35-year-old fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for a committal hearing to test the evidence against him. 

The court heard the former Tiger was a passenger in the stolen white Toyota with three other men as it pursued a silver Volkswagen at speed through Moonee Ponds, Essendon and Coburg.

Daniel Connors at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Picture: David Geraghty

The chase, which began about 7.20am, was allegedly triggered by an altercation between two groups, which involved one of Connors’ co-accused punching another man.

As the quartet gave chase in the stolen Toyota, several shots were fired at the Volkswagen by another co-accused.

But 10 minutes later, the Toyota speed through a red light on Bell St in Coburg and crashed head on into another vehicle before spinning into several other cars.

CCTV footage released by Victoria Police in January captured the high-speed collision.

The Volkswagen was found days later on New Year’s Eve with a shattered rear windscreen.

Detective Senior Constable Nick Duggan told the court shell casings were found which matched to a firearm located at a St Albans house.

The court heard Connors did not live at the premises and no DNA was found on the gun linking the firearm to him.

But Constable Duggan alleged Connors was captured on CCTV footage entering an elevator in the early hours of Christmas Eve while possessing the very same firearm, which was tucked into his waistband.

In response, Connors’ defence barrister Samuel Tovey argued a jury could not be satisfied the item in his client’s waistband was an operable firearm and “not a toy or some other item”.

But Prosecutor Daye Gang said the accused could be seen in the footage lifting his shirt up to “show off” the firearm.

Connors played for the Tigers between 2007 and 2012. Picture: Getty

Connors was charged in early January on a “complicity basis” with discharging a firearm with reckless disregard for safety, using a firearm in a dangerous manner and reckless conduct endangering life.

Ms Gang said while she was not alleging Connors fired the gun, she argued he “encouraged” his co-accused to wield and use the weapon.

But Mr Tovey said a jury could only speculate that Connors handed the gun he allegedly possessed to his co-accused for the purpose of the car chase.

Magistrate Brett Sonnet ultimately agreed, ruling the evidence relating to Connors’ involvement in the car chase was not of “sufficient weight” to support a conviction. 

But Mr Sonnet said there was enough evidence for the accused to stand trial in the County Court on the charges of possessing a firearm and theft of a motor vehicle.

The high-speed pursuit was caught on dashcam footage. Picture: Supplied

With the most serious charges discharged by the magistrate, Mr Tovey argued his client’s case should stay in the Magistrates’ Court.

Mr Sonnet agreed, granting his application for summary jurisdiction.

In January, Connors was granted bail to attend rehab, after his parents agreed to stump up $50,000 from their savings as a bail surety.

He was released from the drug rehabilitation facility in April following an intensive program.

Connors then pleaded guilty in May to negligently dealing with proceeds of crime, possessing a prohibited weapon and driving while suspended.

These charges were laid after a police raid on his Yarraville home on October 27 last year.

He was convicted and fined $2000.

Connors was a talented footballer when he was drafted by Richmond in 2006, playing 29 games for the club.

But he was sacked after a sleeping pill blunder in which he and fellow teammate, Richmond superstar Dustin Martin, missed a training session.

It is believed Connors was shown the door in a bid to protect Martin, amid concerns he would end up in trouble due to the association.

Martin is now a three-time premiership player, a triple Norm Smith medallist and a Brownlow medallist.

Connors has indicated he will fight the two remaining charges.

He will return to court on October 27.