‘Community service’: shooter’s words after bikie murder

A former soldier who shot dead a motorbike boss allegedly at the request of an underworld rival described the killing as a public service, a court has heard.

The assassin, who cannot be named for legal reasons, shot and killed veteran Rebels cyclist Nick Martin in a sniper-style attack at Perth Motorplex on December 12, 2020.

The former Army reservist took the witness stand Friday in the murder trial of David James Pye, 43, who allegedly paid the killer $100,000 for the racetrack attack.

Pye’s barrister, David Hallowes SC, attacked the 39-year-old’s integrity during cross-examination and referred him to a series of conversations recorded after the murder.

“Referring to the shooting of Nick Martin, did you say that you did a public service by killing him, that you were proud of what you did, that was your mood on March 30, 2021?” the lawyer said.

“It was probably my mood, yeah,” the trained marksman replied.

“I can’t say I’m proud of what I did.”

Mr Hallowes also accused the sniper of informing Pye of a reduced sentence after the killer was charged with murder.

“You said… the police told you they already had Pye, so if you don’t start talking soon you’ll miss the bus under the informant discount?” he said.

“Maybe,” said the former artillery gunner.

“Your thinking at this stage was that if you wanted a discount, a significant discount, you should come to the party and include David Pye, do you agree with that?” Mr Hallowes said

“I agree,” the former part-time soldier said.

He also admitted that he had initially tried to mislead police about his involvement in the murder.

“Did you say you tried to make a deal by having the police admit you weren’t the shooter and say Pye was involved?” said Mr. Hallowes.

“Yes,” said the shooter.

“You’re happy to try to give a false account of what’s going on in a deal if it suits your purpose, right?” said Mr. Hallowes.

“Yes, it would suit me better,” the ex-soldier replied.

The shooter used a .308-caliber rifle to shoot Martin from more than 300 yards as he sat in the spectator area at the motorcycle race track.

The bullet passed through Martin’s body, exited his lower back and struck another man in the arm, seriously wounding him.

Pye denied six charges, including murder.

The former soldier was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2021 after pleading guilty to Martin’s murder.