Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Jamie Gao murder trial: Rogerson and McNamara gave 'unbelievable' versions of events, court hears


Two former police officers charged with the murder of Sydney student Jamie Gao have given "far-fetched and unbelievable" versions of what happened, prosecutors say.

In his closing address at the murder trial of Glen McNamara and Roger Rogerson, prosecutor Christopher Maxwell QC told the jury both men were part of an agreement to kill Mr Gao and steal almost three kilograms of the drug ice.

The court heard the pair used a car that could not be traced to transport Mr Gao from the Padstow storage unit where he was shot on May 20, 2014.

Rogerson said he was not involved in acquiring the white Ford Falcon station wagon, but his fingerprint was found on the receipt for its purchase.

Mr Maxwell said McNamara's boat was taken out of storage the day before the shooting, "to make Jamie Gao disappear".

The court heard it was used to dump the body at sea the day after the 20-year-old was killed, and the boat was then returned to storage.

McNamara said Rogerson shot and killed Mr Gao before threatening him and his family.

Courts hears of meetings in months before alleged murder
Rogerson said he found Mr Gao already dead and was told he had pulled a gun on McNamara, who tried to defend himself.

"Jamie Gao shot himself twice in a struggle?" Mr Maxwell asked.

Rogerson replied: "It never happened like that."

"It is far-fetched and unbelievable," Mr Maxwell replied.

Mr Gao had told his cousin he was going to be involved in a massive deal.

He held a number of meetings with McNamara in the months before his death and the men were also in contact by text message.

Mr Maxwell said Rogerson knew all about it, because he was in regular phone contact with McNamara, including around the time of a number of the meetings with Mr Gao.

The jury was told McNamara tried to shield Mr Gao from CCTV cameras at the Padstow storage complex.

During his evidence, McNamara said he was meeting Mr Gao as a source for a book he was writing about Asian crime gangs but learnt that Mr Gao was being followed by triads.

Mr Maxwell dismissed this, saying McNamara and Rogerson did things in preparation for the killing.

"Both of them knew what was to happen after Jamie Gao entered unit 803 at 1:46pm on the 20th of May," he said.

"It's clear one of the accused shot Jamie Gao.

"To convict both accused, you don't have to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt, who was the shooter."

The prosecutor's closing address continues.

Read more http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-18/former-police-gave-'unbelievable'-versions-of-gao-murder/7424986

No comments:

Post a Comment