Court: Jesse knows a gun
Committed to trial after alleged mattress row
JESSE Farmer allegedly ordered a hit on a man after a row over where a mattress was kept.
Farmer procured alleged gunman Jay Ellison to shoot Nicholas Pickering after he threatened to destroy furniture and items belonging to the mother of Farmer’s exgirlfriend, a committal hearing at the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday was told.
Mr Pickering was shot at close range at the front of his Worendo St, Southport, property on February 25 last year. He required surgery to his bowel.
The court heard Mr Pickering could not identify who shot him because the area was dark and he did not have the electricity connected.
“I saw the flash,” Mr Pickering said referring to a gun being discharged. “I remember the flash being very close to me.”
Farmer was yesterday committed to stand trial in the Southport District Court at a date to be determined for his alleged role in the shooting.
He is accused of travelling to the property with Ellison and arranging the shooting.
Police allege Farmer sent Mr Pickering threatening messages before the shooting, after hearing of the dispute.
However, the court heard Mr Pickering could not identify whether the messages had come from a phone belonging to Farmer.
He told the court when he heard a commotion outside his property he went outside to “face it like a man”.
The police case also relies on CCTV footage of Farmer meeting with the alleged shooter following the crime.
Defence barrister Bernard Reilly, instructed by Jodi Allen of Buckland Allen Criminal Lawyers, said while the case against his client was weak, he conceded there was sufficient evidence for the matter to go to trial. “It is, at best, circumstantial,” Mr Reilly said.
A charge of attempted murder against Farmer was dismissed and replaced with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.
In court, supporters of Farmer were taking photographs of him while he was seated in the dock. After this came to his attention, Magistrate Chris Callaghan confiscated one of the women’s phones until the end of the committal hearing.
She denied any recordings when asked by Mr Callaghan.
I SAW THE FLASH. I REMEMBER THE FLASH BEING VERY CLOSE TO ME NICHOLAS PICKERING