A tell-all autobiography penned in jail by the sniper who killed bikie boss Nick Martin at Perth Motorplex in 2020 is sitting in a safe while lawyers wrangle over who can view it.
The former ADF soldier, whose identity has been suppressed, appeared in court on Thursday via videolink, alongside the man accused of hiring him as a hit man – David Pye.
The identity of the man who murdered Nick Martin has been suppressed. Credit: Facebook
Pye, a bikie rival of Martin, will go on trial in October over accusations he ordered and allegedly paid more than $150,000 for the hit on Martin, who was fatally shot in front of horrified onlookers, including his family, while watching the drag races.
The 35-year-old sniper has already admitted to his part in the killing and has now written his autobiography.
The court previously heard the existence of the book was made known to police, who seized it from him last year.
Nick and Amanda Martin.Credit: 9News Perth
But Pye’s legal team want to know what the book contains and are fighting the claim it should be kept private.
Summons have been issued to the Commissioner of Police and Department of Justice seeking the pages be disclosed.
The sniper is now claiming legal privilege over its contents, meaning it should be kept confidential and not disclosed to third parties.
He told WA’s Supreme Court on Thursday that he would represent himself for the duration of the matter because he didn’t see the “point” in getting legal representation if “all my emails are going to be read by police”.
Part of the legal proceedings involve Commissioner Col Blanch filing an affidavit to the court.
Blanch previously described the killing as “outrageous”.
Murder accused David Pye leaving court in 2013 in front of his former ally and alleged victim, Nick Martin.Credit: 9 News Perth
“This is a significant arrest,” he said at the time both men were caught.
“This spans across three outlaw motorcycle gang clubs; it goes to show the level of violence they’re prepared to go to.
“This is the highest risk to public that you can ever have; you’ve got a sniper shot from the other side of the Kwinana Motorplex that killed a man, injured another; this is just outrageous that this occurred in Western Australia.
“We will track down each and every one of them who thinks that it’s OK to hurt, murder and maim people in our community.”
An application for trial by judge alone in the matter of David Pye is listed to be heard tomorrow at 10am.
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