Perth’s ‘Trial of the Century’: Bikie sniper gives evidence

In Perth’s Supreme Court, the man charged with the shooting murder of Rebel bikie, Nick Martin, gave evidence behind glassed panelling. He was testifying against David Pye, who is charged with orchestrating the murder of the Comanchero’s boss, who was slain at the Kwinana Motorplex in December 2020.

A large police presence gathered outside the court, as the former SAS soldier was brought into the judge-only trial as the prosecution’s star witness. The ex-soldier, whose name is suppressed, is currently serving a 20-year sentence for admitting to firing the fatal bullet in front of more 2,000 spectators.

In court, the former soldier, revealed the two had their first interaction via Instagram in late 2020. At that time, Mr Pye offered to join the Shadows of Hope, an international humanitarian and security organisation, of which the soldier was a member. His role included reconnaissance and first aid work in the war zones of Northern Iraq, Syria and Myanamar.

Rather than join the organisation, Pye was encouraged to instead make a donation.

In evidence, the ex-soldier told the court he had PTSD following his military service and relied on MDMA to treat his symptoms. On returning to Western Australia, in the midst of the global pandemic, he contacted Pye when he found MDMA was in short supply.

“He was the dodgiest person I knew, obviously a bikie, and I thought he could get me MDMA easier than anyone else,” the witness told the court.

“Pye said he could get me a kilo.”

As Pye was under house arrest the “pick up” would need to be at his Baldivis home. The soldier arrived to find there was no MDMA to collect. Instead, the former soldier told the court, Pye made him a proposition: murder his ex-girlfriend.

“She’s a lying bitch and in protection. I know where she is. I’ll give you $380K to kill her and get rid of her body.

“Pye said he had the dollars right there. He was agitated. Serious.”

The ex-soldier allegedly refused, telling Payne “I don’t shoot women.”

“I said ‘I don’t kill women… I’m offended that you ever asked me.’”

The court heard Pye then asked if he would consider shooting a man.

$10,000 in cash was offered on the spot and the witness agreed to do “a book” on Nick Martin. The men agreed that all future communication would be done using the encrypted app, Wire, to maintain anonymity.

Pye’s code name was “The Fuhrer” and the ex-soldier’s “Blackbeard”.

In the following days Martin’s every movement was staked out. This included tailgating his vehicle, a drone over his home and surrounding streets and charting the patterns to his day. No date was set but a fee of $150,000 to complete the “hit” was agreed upon.

“I wanted to do the job later in January or February, but, Pye texted with increasing frequency to get the job done, and there seemed to more urgency,” the witness said.

The former soldier soon learnt about Martin’s passion for motorbikes and fast cars by following him and tracking his movements.

When cross-examined, the soldier was asked if he had any previous interactions or knew of Martin.

The star witness agreed he was aware of him from two different situations.

The first, he stated, was when his former boss at a car performance workshop, revealed he had slept with the girlfriend of a senior bikie. The bikie sought revenge and the shop was soon destroyed with bullets.

The message was clear.

“You took away what I loved, so now I’m taking away what you love.”

His second encounter backdated to 2012, when a romantic partner suddenly ceased communication, a few months into their relationship.

Via text message, the ex-soldier asked why she hadn’t been in touch.

“I was raped by Nick Martin,” the woman replied.

Less than two weeks later she committed suicide.

David Pye is facing six further charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

The high profile hearing  will continue to be heard in a trial expected to last three weeks, with the glass panels ensuring a high level of security between the assassin, his alleged boss and the public gallery.

Jo Milios