New twist in trial of Bassam Hamzy and his former lawyer

There has been a fresh development in the case of notorious gangster Bassam Hamzy, who allegedly supplied drugs out of Supermax.

A notorious criminal who allegedly operated a drug ring out of his maximum security jail cell has had his trial date pushed back again.

Brothers 4 Life founder Bassam Hamzy, 42, and his solicitor lawyer Martin Churchill, 65, were set to face a joint trial later this month over the alleged supply of a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine between October 2017 and February 2018.

The prosecution have alleged Hamzy operated the drug ring from Goulburn Supermax while Mr Churchill allegedly communicated with him about the scheme under the veil of legal ­client privilege. But due to a number of legal and technical issues, the eight-week trial has been set down for May instead.

Among the complications was a 20-page document of instructions, handwritten and sent by Mr Churchill to his legal team, who claimed they were illegible.

Hamzy, who is in jail for murder, and Mr Churchill were originally set to face a trial in August 2021, but Covid-19 ­delays and Hamzy’s inability to find a barrister meant it did not proceed. The men were charged in mid-2019.

Hamzy, who is still formally unrepresented, conveyed his elaborate legal knowledge to the court as he confirmed his position, which included an agreement to vacate the trial date.

Hamzy also said he would argue for background on Brothers 4 Life to be excluded from the trial, claiming it is not relevant to the case and would cause prejudice, and quoted relevant court cases for the various legal practitioners in the courtroom.

The issue will be further aired in court next week.

Hamzy has pleaded not guilty to supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and hindering the ­apprehension of a person who committed a serious offence.

Mr Churchill, charged with taking part in the commercial supply of drugs, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, hindering the apprehension of a person who committed an indictable offence and stalk or intimidate, also pleaded not guilty.

The men had previously attempted to sever their trials, but failed in their application.

The court appearance comes a few weeks after another of Hamzy’s close relatives was murdered in Sydney’s gang wars.

Hamzy’s brother Ghassan Amoun, 35, was shot dead as he left a beauty salon alone in South Wentworthville on January 6.

Police suspect the hit is likely linked to the ongoing feud between the Alameddine and Hamzy crime networks.

About 12.45pm on January 6, a stolen grey 2017 mini cooper pulled up alongside Amoun. The gunman, wearing a balaclava, jumped out and shot him twice in the head. He had been released from Clarence Correctional Centre just three days earlier.

The getaway vehicle was dumped and set alight in a nearby street.

It followed the murder of Hamzy’s younger brother Mejid in 2020 and his cousin Bilal Hamze in mid-2021.

NCA NEWSWIRE