Nemesis
11-18-2004, 03:44 PM
news.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11425732%255E26462,00.html)
November 18, 2004
A SUPREME Court judge has warned that unless jail conditions improved for Melbourne's imprisoned gangland figures the men may be allowed back on the streets.
Greg James Hildebrandt, 34, was today refused bail in the Melbourne Supreme Court over his role in an alleged murder conspiracy to kill underworld kingpin Mario Condello.
The court was told Hildebrandt joined a plot led by Carl Williams to kill Carlton crew member Condello, when he agreed to be driver for shooter Sean Sonnet, after another man pulled out.
In making the bail application, Hildebrandt's lawyer Scott Johns said the 34-year-old was locked into his cell for 22-and-a-half hours a day and was only allowed a weekly family visit of one hour.
He said there was no direct evidence to suggest his client knew Sonnet was armed or thought he was involved in such a serious crime.
Opposing the bail application, Detective Senior Constable Anthony Mercer said police had a witness who claimed Hildebrandt gave Sonnet a gun in the months prior to June 9 when they were arrested just metres from Condello's house.
He said this witness could not be identified.
More than 69 telephone calls were intercepted on the five days prior to Hildebrandt's arrest in which he discussed trafficking amphetamines and cannabis, Det Snr Const Mercer said.
In refusing bail, Judge Bernard Bongiorno said the telephone calls and witness statement suggested there was a risk Hildebrandt would reoffend.
But he warned that if his imprisonment conditions did not improve he may be eligible for bail in the future.
"The circumstances in which the accused man is being held are quite unacceptable," he said.
"In this society there is a real presumption of innocence ... we do not lock up innocent people for 22 hours a day."peHe said Corrections Victoria was examining how to improve the imprisonment conditions of those associated with Melbourne's gangland wars.
"If it isn't improved then the case for bail for Mr Hildebrandt and his co-accused may become overwhelming."
Members of both sides of the underworld war have previously complained to the court of their lockdowns.
Earlier this year in refusing bail for Condello, who is accused of plotting to kill rival Williams, Justice Bernard Teague labelled his 23-hour lock down unacceptable and warned the the Supreme Court may have to intervene if conditions didn't improve.
Sonnet, Williams and Carlton crew member Mick Gatto have also complained to the court about their imprisonment conditions.
AAP
November 18, 2004
A SUPREME Court judge has warned that unless jail conditions improved for Melbourne's imprisoned gangland figures the men may be allowed back on the streets.
Greg James Hildebrandt, 34, was today refused bail in the Melbourne Supreme Court over his role in an alleged murder conspiracy to kill underworld kingpin Mario Condello.
The court was told Hildebrandt joined a plot led by Carl Williams to kill Carlton crew member Condello, when he agreed to be driver for shooter Sean Sonnet, after another man pulled out.
In making the bail application, Hildebrandt's lawyer Scott Johns said the 34-year-old was locked into his cell for 22-and-a-half hours a day and was only allowed a weekly family visit of one hour.
He said there was no direct evidence to suggest his client knew Sonnet was armed or thought he was involved in such a serious crime.
Opposing the bail application, Detective Senior Constable Anthony Mercer said police had a witness who claimed Hildebrandt gave Sonnet a gun in the months prior to June 9 when they were arrested just metres from Condello's house.
He said this witness could not be identified.
More than 69 telephone calls were intercepted on the five days prior to Hildebrandt's arrest in which he discussed trafficking amphetamines and cannabis, Det Snr Const Mercer said.
In refusing bail, Judge Bernard Bongiorno said the telephone calls and witness statement suggested there was a risk Hildebrandt would reoffend.
But he warned that if his imprisonment conditions did not improve he may be eligible for bail in the future.
"The circumstances in which the accused man is being held are quite unacceptable," he said.
"In this society there is a real presumption of innocence ... we do not lock up innocent people for 22 hours a day."peHe said Corrections Victoria was examining how to improve the imprisonment conditions of those associated with Melbourne's gangland wars.
"If it isn't improved then the case for bail for Mr Hildebrandt and his co-accused may become overwhelming."
Members of both sides of the underworld war have previously complained to the court of their lockdowns.
Earlier this year in refusing bail for Condello, who is accused of plotting to kill rival Williams, Justice Bernard Teague labelled his 23-hour lock down unacceptable and warned the the Supreme Court may have to intervene if conditions didn't improve.
Sonnet, Williams and Carlton crew member Mick Gatto have also complained to the court about their imprisonment conditions.
AAP