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Bikie to be sentenced over murder of rival gang boss
- On Wednesday, the Western Australian Supreme Court sentenced David James Pye to life imprisonment with a 34-year non-parole period for masterminding the 2020 assassination of former Rebels boss Nick Martin at Perth Motorplex.
- Justice Joseph McGrath called Pye the 'architect' of the premeditated hit, citing his hatred of Martin. Pye paid sniper Benjamin Johnston $100,000 to execute his one-time ally, though he promised $150,000.
- Johnston fired a single.308-calibre rifle shot from 365 metres away, striking Martin in the chest. The bullet passed through the 51-year-old and wounded his son-in-law, Ricky Chapman, in the leg and arm.
- Defence lawyer Paul Holmes confirmed Pye will appeal his convictions. The court also sentenced him for attempting to hire Johnston to murder his ex-girlfriend and Comanchero rival Ray Cilli, with those terms served concurrently.
- During the trial, Johnston claimed he performed a 'community service' by killing the bikie. Prosecutor Justin Whalley described the crime as a 'contract killing' where Pye demonstrated a 'chilling disregard of the sanctity of life.
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Sydney Morning HeraldReposted by 
WA today
WA todayLife for Pye: WA bikie boss to spend 34 years behind bars for speedway killing
David Pye was found guilty of murder after trained sniper Ben Johnston told a court how he was paid to shoot bikie heavyweight Nick Martin at Kwinana Motorplex in 2020.
·Sydney, Australia
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Left
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left
46% Left
L 46%
C 18%
R 36%
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