Murder case heads to Supreme Court
TWO men accused of murdering an NRL star’s brother on the Gold Coast have had their matter committed to the Supreme Court.
Benjamin Charles Johnson, 31, and Steven Dale Latter, 29, are each charged with one count of murder in relation to the death of Jake Opacic, the brother of former Brisbane Bronco Tom Opacic.
It is alleged the pair were involved in Mr Opacic's fatal motorbike crash near Numinbah Correctional Centre on July 2, 2021.
Johnson is also charged with robbery, disqualified driving, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and failing to comply with a requirement to stop from the same date.
Latter is charged with robbery and an unrelated count of improper use of a prison call service.
A dozen witnesses were cross-examined during Johnson and Latter’s twoday committal hearing in Southport Magistrates Court this week.
The court was told both Johnson and Mr Opacic had gone to the prison farm to pick up Rheannon Rowe, Johnson’s ex and Mr Opacic’s then-partner. She and Johnson also share four children.
It was heard Johnson and Latter’s Toyota Camry broke down on Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd, with Ms Rowe’s family members stopping to help on their way home.
Witnesses claimed an argument broke out between Johnson and Mr Opacic, who was soon seen speeding away on his motorbike.
The Camry – allegedly driven by Latter with Johnson in the passenger seat – took off in the same direction, the court was told.
Ms Rowe and her family members said it was about a minute later that the sedan returned in the opposite direction. They claimed Johnson flagged them down to say Mr Opacic had “come off his bike”.
Ross and Diana Stuart were the only witnesses to give evidence on Thursday, saying they saw vehicles parked on Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd while driving.
They told the court a motorbike pulled out in front of them and quickly disappeared around a bend.
Ms Stuart said she could see the rider gesturing behind them, but was unsure who the target was.
The couple claimed they were then overtaken by a dark-coloured car travelling in the same direction as Mr Opacic, and came across the motorcyclist’s body about a minute later.
They called triple-0 and tried to render assistance, but were told by others at the scene that there was nothing more they could do.
The couple said they did not see the dark-coloured car travelling back towards the jail.
Johnson and Latter’s murder and robbery charges were committed to the Supreme Court, with neither defence counsel contesting it.
An indictment is expected to be presented in the coming months.
The pair’s remaining charges will next be mentioned on June 8.