Medich heads to jail over murder
SYDNEY millionaire property developer Ron Medich has been found guilty of directing the contract shooting murder of a business enemy almost nine years ago and intimidating his widow.
The 70- year- old pleaded not guilty to murdering Michael McGurk, 45, in September 2009 and to intimidating his widow, Kimberley McGurk, the following year.
A NSW Supreme Court jury was discharged in April 2017 after failing to reach verdicts but yesterday a second jury found Medich guilty of both charges. Medich appeared shell- shocked at the verdicts, which came after the 11- man jury had deliberated for 5 ½ days.
The millionaire ( right), who had been on bail for all his trial, was taken into custody and, before being led away by prison officers, handed over his valuables to his barrister Winston Terracini SC.
Mr McGurk was shot in the head outside his north shore Sydney home in Cremorne after he pulled up in his car with a takeaway meal he had just bought for his family.
Star Crown witness Lucky Gattellari testified that his former close friend Medich had become very angry about his ongoing and protracted legal battles with Mr McGurk, involving millions of dollars.
Medich told him he had been made a “laughing stock in the eastern suburbs”, that Mr McGurk was ruining his reputation and he wanted Gattellari to find someone “to take care of this guy”.
Gattellari said he asked Medich if he was sure about the murder, saying “there’s no going back”, and he replied: “I am sure. I want him done.”
Gattellari testified that he twice went to Medich’s Point Piper home when the developer handed him bags containing $ 250,000 in cash. Gattellari’s driver, Senad Kaminic, testified he overheard Medich talking about his rival saying: “If I had a gun I would kill him.”
Outside court, Mr McGurk’s wife Kimberley said the past 8 ½ years had taken a toll. “The damage to my family will never be repaired but the result today will allow my family to move forward,” she said.
She thanked the NSW Police, and the prosecutors.
“Today’s a great day for justice and the jury system of NSW,” she said. “My children and I would like to thank everyone involved.”