While Shane Bowden appeared in court, Fidel Gunes allegedly attached a tracking device to the bikie gang defector’s car.
Days later, Bowden was in the same vehicle when he was shot 21 times by two hooded gunmen in the driveway of his Gold Coast home, a court has heard.
Police found the tracking device underneath the black BMW after Bowden was found dead in the driver’s seat with the engine still running in October 2020.
Alleged Mongols bikie Gunes, 31, is one of 10 men who have been charged with murder.
“The Crown’s case is this was an execution-style killing of Mr Bowden and was the culmination of an elaborate plan carried out over a number of weeks in which a large number of people participated, mainly members of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle club,” Justice Frances Williams said.
It is not alleged that Gunes was present when Finks and ex-Mongols bikie Bowden were shot.
Gunes’ role in the plan was acquiring and operating tracking devices as well as keeping tabs on Bowden, the Crown alleges.
He assisted in taking a tracking device to Bowden’s residence, where it was attached to his car, but it later fell off, Brisbane Supreme Court was told.
Gunes is accused of attaching another device on the black BMW about a week later while Bowden was in a Gold Coast court for breaching COVID rules on October 1.
Eleven days later, Bowden was shot by gunmen using at least two weapons—one was a 9mm automatic pistol capable of firing 800 rounds a minute.
The other was a pump-action shotgun.
DNA on a SIM card in the tracking device found on Bowden’s car matched two people, including Gunes, the court heard.
It is not alleged that Gunes had any further involvement after giving an associate the handset used to receive the tracking device information on Oct. 1, Justice Williams said at his bail application.
However, the Crown alleges Gunes’ role in the plan was “crucial, prominent and persistent.”
The Crown opposed bail, saying there was an unacceptable risk of Gunes failing to appear, committing further offences and interfering with witnesses if released.
They pointed to his “long-term membership and commitment to the Mongols” and his significant criminal history.
There have also been repeated breaches of bail, the court heard.
However, Gunes’ defence submitted that other than purchasing and attaching tracking devices, there was no evidence that he knew what was planned for Bowden.
Gunes has been remanded in custody since July 2021.
There was no indication from the Crown when the matter would be ready to proceed, the court heard.
Justice Williams granted Gunes bail on Wednesday.
She took into account difficulties with the crown case, delays, time Gunes has spent in custody, the risk of serving too much time on remand and strict bail conditions.
Gunes’ mother also offered a $400,000 surety.
“The applicant has established that his continued detention in custody is no longer justified. Accordingly, bail is granted,” Justice Williams said.
