Next step in ‘mistaken identity’ murder case; accused duo plead not guilty

Two men will go to trial, accused of fatally shooting another man in what police described as a case of mistaken identity.

Two men, accused of carrying out a mistaken identity killing in Perth’s northern suburbs, have entered pleas of not guilty to murder.

Matthew Harley Gempton, 34, and Peter Nguyen-Ha, 32, are accused of killing 47-year-old Ralph Matthews-Cox on January 12, 2022.

Western Australia Police allege the pair shot Mr Matthews-Cox as he answered the front door of his Montacute Turn home in Landsdale about 2am.

He was shot in the chest and died in Royal Perth Hospital.

Appearing in Perth’s Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Mr Gempton and Mr Nguyen-Ha pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder each, as well as to other charges of attempted murder over alleged drive-by shootings carried out in other northern Perth suburbs.

The pair were remanded in custody until their first appearance in WA’s Supreme Court on July 31.

Ralph William Matthews-Cox died at Royal Perth Hospital on January 12, 2022, after being shot in the chest as he answered the front door of his Landsdale home.

Mr Nguyen-Ha’s name had initially been suppressed following his arrest and first court appearances over concerns he would be targeted by bikies.

However, the court found there was no credible evidence of threats made to his life, and the suppression order was lifted in February 2022.

Detective Inspector Quentin Flatman, in a media conference following the shooting, confirmed the alleged killing was a case of mistaken identity, involving “a man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“He was a much valued member of the community – a very much loved son, husband and father and his family say he will be sorely missed.”

Originally published as Next step in ‘mistaken identity’ murder case; accused duo plead not guilty