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Acquitted bikie considering suing
Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:14am
209.86.128.59
Acquitted bikie considering suing
By Tim Clarke and Holly Nott
August 27, 2004
A SENIOR Gypsy Jokers bikie who was today acquitted over a
vengeful bombing campaign against a retired Perth detective is
considering suing West Australian authorities for malicious
prosecution and unlawful detention.
Graeme "Slim" Slater, 38, along with three other gang
members and an associate, was acquitted by a jury of the bombings
carried out on the house, pub and other properties owned by the
murdered former head of Perth detectives, Donald Hancock.
The explosions in late 2000, and subsequent car bomb murder of Mr
Hancock in September 2001, were said to have been carried out to
avenge the death of gang member Billy Grierson, who was shot dead
following a minor altercation with Mr Hancock at the pub.
After Slater was acquitted of the murders of Mr Hancock and his
friend Lou Lewis last year, and cleared of the property bombings
today in the Perth District Court, his lawyer Laurie Levy said a
notice of intent to sue had been filed with the Crown Solicitor's
office.
"I can tell you he has given notice to sue the state for
unlawful detention and malicious prosecution. It is an indication
that he has an intention," Mr Levy said.
Slater, Leslie Hoddy, Richard Samuels, Robert Stupar and Gary
White had all denied planning or planting the bombs that
devastated Mr Hancock's home, the Ora Banda Historic Inn and the
nearby gold battery in late 2000.
Mr Slater had earlier pleaded guilty to an attempted arson
charge, for which he was sentenced to three years in jail,
backdated to January last year. However he will not serve any
more time in prison, after spending 20 months on remand awaiting
last year's murder trial.
Prosecutor Ken Bates QC had alleged the bombings were carried out
by the gang as revenge for the death of Mr Grierson, for which
they blamed Mr Hancock.
The case was based almost entirely on the evidence of gang member
turned rollover witness Sid "Snot" Reid, who after
admitting his part in the subsequent murders of Mr Hancock and Mr
Lewis in September, 2001, broke the bikie code of silence to
testify against his mates, in return for a reduced sentence.
But the jury rejected the evidence of Reid, just as a previous
jury did in last year's murder trial.
Following the verdict, prosecutor Ken Bates QC said the decision
of the jury should and would be respected.
"These types of cases are very much dependent upon getting
the inside story from someone like Sidney Reid, who is prepared
to admit their involvement and then give evidence against
others," Mr Bates said.
"I don't believe juries are intimidated and steps were taken
to ensure the jury were able to consider the matter in an
environment free from any threats."
However, Stephen Hancock, son of the murdered detective, said he
believed the bikies' reputation had played a part in the verdict.
"It appears to me that no-one's willing to convict bikies of
these sorts of crimes," Mr Hancock said. "I think it is
the intimidation factor".
Assistant Commissioner Dave Caporn, who headed the Hancock murder
investigation, said despite today's acquittals there had been
other successes emanating from Reid's co-operation, including a
murder conviction, as well as drug trafficking and deprivation of
liberty prosecutions.
"Overall I think we have won far more charges than we've
lost and whilst we're disappointed, we do accept the decision of
the jury and we move on," Mr Caporn said.
A delighted Colin Lovitt, QC, Slater's trial lawyer, said the
speed of the jury's verdict – decided in just more than
three hours – spoke volumes about the prosecution case.
"I'd be silly if I stood here and started bagging Sid Reid,
I bagged him enough in court," Mr Lovitt said.
AAP
