|
|
 |
THE 1999 execution-style murder of Bendigo mother Vicki Jacobs
remains shrouded in mystery.
In the Melbourne Coroner's Court yesterday, Coroner Phil Byrne
indicated he would deliver an open finding after an inquest into
the callous murder. Ms Jacobs was shot dead in her Long Gully
unit as she slept next to her six-year-old son Benjamin on June
12, 1999.
Homicide squad detectives and Vicki's friends have long believed
she was murdered because she testified against her former husband
Gerald Preston over the 1996 double murder of two men in South
Australia.
In developments yesterday: Coroner Phil Byrne said Preston and
his associate Terrence Tognolini were suspected of being
implicated in Vicki's death; The detective who led the hunt for
Vicki's killers said there was no motive for her death other than
payback; One of Benjamin's carers declared Vicki's killers may
never be found because "the circle of evil is too tight to
break".
MELBOURNE - Vicki Jacobs knew she was likely to be murdered for
testifying against her ex-husband and had made preparations for
her death, the Melbourne Coroners Court heard today. The
37-year-old mother was shot dead while her six-year-old son slept
beside her in her Bendigo unit in the early hours of June 12,
1999.
Coroner Phil Byrne was told Ms Jacobs was murdered after
providing police with information connecting her ex-husband
Gerald Preston and the Hells Angels motorcycle club with a gun
used in a 1996 South Australian double murder.
Police alleged that Preston had been paid by the Hells Angels
motorcycle gang to carry out the killings of known drug dealer
Les Knowles and his associate Timothy Richards. Preston was
convicted in 1998 and sentenced to 32 years in prison.
Mr Byrne said it was clear that Ms Jacobs was aware of the risks
involved when she made the courageous decision to give evidence
against Preston. Ms Jacobs' friend Colleen Hunter, who is a carer
for her son Benjamin, said Ms Jacobs was terrified of Preston's
associate Terrence Tognolini, a member of the Hells Angels.
"She knew he would be the go-between between Gerry and the
person who murdered her," Mrs Hunter told the court. She
said Ms Jacobs knew the risks of testifying and had made
preparations for her death. "Vicki had been told by her
husband that she was history," Mrs Hunter told the court.
"She had prepared a will and talked quite extensively about
what would happen to her child." Mrs Hunter said Ms Jacobs
had refused police protection because she wanted her son to grow
up around family and friends and not in hiding or on the run.
Detective Sergeant Gordon Hynd said police could establish no
motive for Ms Jacobs' brutal murder other than the evidence she
gave against Preston and indirectly against the Hells Angels.
"There was nothing else going on in Vicki Jacobs' life that
would give rise to a reason for her being murdered," Det-Sgt
Hynd said.
He said diary entries found in Preston's cell at South
Australia's Yatala prison detailed his contempt for his ex-wife,
his attempts to track her down, his ongoing communication with
Terrence Tognolini and financial support received from Hells
Angels.
Mrs Hunter said it was obvious to Ms Jacobs's family and friends
that her role in testifying against Preston had led to her
violent death. "To us there is no other motive why she
died," she said.
Det-Sgt Hynd said the posting of a $1 million bounty for Ms
Jacobs's killer in June last year had not provided fresh leads.
"It's been a very comprehensive investigation, at this point
in time there is no information that can take it further."
Mr Byrne indicated he would deliver an open finding. "The
fingers of suspicion certainly point at them (Preston and
Tognolini)," Mr Byrne said. But he said the evidence was not
conclusive. Mr Byrne will deliver his findings on a date to be
fixed.
Police have alleged Preston was contracted by the Hells Angels
motorcycle gang to carry out the killings. Preston is now serving
a 32-year jail term in a South Australia prison for the double
murders.
The Advertiser
