Soldier-turned-assassin jailed for 20 years for sniper-style killing of Rebels bikie boss wants to be set free early for helping police track the alleged mastermind behind the hit
- Assassin who killed ex-Rebels boss requests less jail time
- The man shot dead Nick Martin from 300m away in 2020
- He aided police to implicate the alleged mastermind David Pye
The assassin who killed an ex-boss of the Rebels motorcycle gang has requested to be released from jail early for agreeing to testify against the alleged mastermind behind the hit.
The former military sniper, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, avoided a life sentence after he gave police information and committing to testifying against David James Pye, the man who allegedly orchestrated the 2020 hit.
He received a reduced sentenced of 20 years in jail in 2021 for his co-operation.
It’s alleged that Pye offered the assassin $150,000 to shoot dead former Rebels boss Nick Martin from 300m away while he was watching drag races with his family at the Kwinana Motorplex in Perth‘s south.
However, his bid for a further reduction of his sentence could backfire if the Court of Appeal upholds his application and resentences him.
The assassin behind the 2020 sniper-style murder of ex-Rebels boss, Nick Martin (pictured left), has requested to have his jail sentence further reduced
The 36-year-old gunman claims he should have been given less jail time during his appeal, arguing that his co-operation with authorities was not taken into account.
However, Justice Michael Buss indicated to the man’s lawyer, Simon Freitag SC, that if the court were to resentence his client, that a life sentence would not be unjust, and a new minimum parole term could be set.
Mr Freitag argued that his client’s detailed witness statement that led to Pye’s arrest was not taken into account when his sentencing was handed down.
He claimed that not only did his client provide information against Pye but also on allegations he had asked to take out another foe of Pye’s, Comanchero boss Ray Cilli.
Mr Freitag also claimed that his client provided details of another alleged plan of Pye’s to kill a woman and that Pye allegedly asked him to procure a rocket propelled grenade to attack a police helicopter.
Pye pleaded not guilty to a series of murder-related charges in court on Wednesday.
The former military sniper claims his co-operation with police to implicate the alleged mastermind of the hit, James Pye (pictured), was not considered during his sentencing
It is alleged Pye, a former Rebels associate who became linked to the Comancheros gang, organised and paid for Martin to be shot in a sniper-style attack.
Pye allegedly initially contacted the 35-year-old man in early 2020 via encrypted messaging service Wire, asking about his experience and skills.
The assassin conducted surveillance on Martin that even included sending a drone over his home.
The alleged plan for Cilli was to spray him with machine gun fire as he left a bar in Thailand, according to the contract killer.
