Nine men charged with murder of ex-bikie Shane Bowden planned on no case submission, lawyer reveals

The lawyer for several men charged over the execution-style killing of ex-Mongol bikie Shane Bowden has suddenly withdrawn from the case, but not before revealing a shock move the defendants planned to make.

Shane Bowden was allegedly shot 21 times at point blank range by two hooded men.

The lawyer for several men charged over the execution-style killing of ex-Mongol bikie Shane Bowden has suddenly withdrawn from the case but not before revealing the defendants planned on asking the case against them be dismissed.

Bowden was allegedly shot 21 times at point blank range by two hooded men, allegedly his former Mongol comrades, in the garage of his home at Pimpama on October 12, 2020.

A five-day committal hearing had been set down in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday for the nine men charged over his murder that carries with it an aggravating circumstance of serious organised crime.

Shane Bowden

They are Haydn Thomas Forbes, from Upper Coomera, Ian Ronald Crowden, Junior Jasmine Torope, from Underwood, James Winston Mau’u, from Helensvale, Joshua James Small, from Pimpama, David Steven Meatuai, from Underwood, Adam John Murphy, from Wanora, Peter Michael Cummins from Upper Coomera and Jake Andrew Taylor from Bellbird Park.

But the hearing had to be abandoned when prominent solicitor Michael Gatenby, of Gatenby Criminal Lawyers, revealed that the Crime and Corruption Commission were not going to provide him or his office with a transcript of evidence given by one of the witnesses in the case.

“It is proposed that each of the accused men at the conclusion of the committal proceeding would bring an application there is no case to answer,” he said.

“In circumstances where I can’t be provided a copy of that transcript of this material witness I’m left me in a position where I have a conflict.

“My office is withdrawing in respect to Mr Crowden, Mr Cummins, Mr Forbes, Mr Mau’u, Mr Small, Mr Taylor and Mr Torope.”

Mr Gatenby said he spent the weekend making arrangements for other solicitors to take over carriage of the matters.

Barrister Angus Edwards, KC, representing Meatuai, said the Crown were understandably “loathe” to have committal witnesses cross-examined twice so he didn’t push for it to proceed in respect of his client. Barrister Gavin Webber, representing Murphy, took the same position.

The matter was adjourned to Thursday for mention.

In November 2023 alleged Mongols bikie Fidel Gunes was cleared of murdering Bowden after a magistrate dismissed the murder charge.

Originally published as Nine men charged with murder of ex-bikie Shane Bowden planned on no case submission, lawyer reveals