In a dramatic courtroom reversal, the man accused of masterminding the brazen assassination of Rebels motorcycle gang boss Nick Martin has been returned to prison, with a Supreme Court judge delivering a scathing assessment of the original decision to grant him bail.
'Unjustifiable' bail decision condemned
Supreme Court Justice Joseph McGrath didn't mince words when overturning the bail granted to David Pye, labelling the reasoning behind his release as fundamentally flawed. The judge expressed astonishment that Pye had been granted freedom while facing such serious allegations.
'The reasoning process was unjustifiable,' Justice McGrath declared from the bench, sending shockwaves through the Perth legal community.
The high-profile assassination
Pye stands accused of orchestrating the shocking murder that captivated and horrified Western Australians. Nick Martin was shot dead by a sniper while attending a motorsport event at Perth's Kwinana Motorplex in December 2020, in what prosecutors describe as a carefully planned execution.
The killing occurred in front of hundreds of terrified witnesses, marking one of the most audacious public assassinations in recent Australian criminal history.
Prosecution's compelling case
Prosecutors argued vehemently against Pye's release, presenting what Justice McGrath described as a 'strong prosecution case' that painted a damning picture of Pye's alleged involvement. The court heard evidence suggesting Pye played a central role in planning and coordinating the lethal attack.
The prosecution's submission highlighted the sophistication of the alleged plot and Pye's position within criminal networks as factors making him both a flight risk and potential danger to the community.
Immediate return to custody
Following Justice McGrath's ruling, Pye was immediately taken back into custody where he will remain until his trial proceeds. The decision represents a significant victory for prosecutors who had expressed concern about Pye's release since it was initially granted.
The case continues to attract intense media scrutiny, not only for its high-profile victim but for the broader implications about organised crime activity in Western Australia.
Ongoing legal battle
Pye's defence team had argued for his continued release, but Justice McGrath found their arguments unpersuasive in light of the serious nature of the charges and strength of the prosecution's evidence.
With Pye now back behind bars, attention turns to the upcoming trial which promises to reveal further details about one of Perth's most notorious criminal incidents in recent years.
