Court refuses bail for Judy Moran

Gangland widow Judy Moran is a danger to the community with easy access to guns and
cannot be released on bail, a court has ruled.
In a case described by Victoria's police chief as "stranger than fiction", Moran's
house was extensively damaged by a suspicious fire hours after she was charged over
the murder of her brother-in-law Desmond Moran.
Refusing bail for Moran and co-accused Suzanne Kane on Wednesday, Magistrate Jelena
Popovic said the fact they had access to several firearms was a concern.
The Melbourne Magistrates Court was told three handguns were hidden in a safe at
Moran's house, while a loaded shotgun was hidden under cushions a metre away from
her back door.
"That in my view does constitute a concern in terms of the safety of the members of
the community," Ms Popovic said.
Police opposed the women's bail application, telling the court there was a risk
Moran, 64, might flee Australia.
They also argued the women would "obstruct justice" and had the "propensity to
destroy evidence".
Victoria's top prosecutor Gavin Silbert SC said the house fire "might have been seen
as some sort of retribution that may endanger the public".
Arson squad detectives scoured the Melbourne home, investigating the source of the
blaze.
It's believed some sort of accelerant was thrown through the front lounge window,
starting the fire and causing $150,000 damage to the large property recently listed
for sale for $1 million.
The fire came 36 hours after Des Moran was shot dead by two gunmen in the doorway of
a cafe in suburban Ascot Vale on Monday.
Moran and Kane, the sister in-law of Moran's slain son Jason Moran, are both charged
with being an accessary after the murder.
Kane's de facto husband Geoffrey Amour, 43, alleged to be one of the shooters, has
been charged with murder and is due in court on Thursday.
Police say they are still hunting the second gunman and the getaway driver. They
released a man without charge after questioning him on Tuesday night.
In court, Ms Popovic was highly critical of the evidence led by police, with the
magistrate describing it as "evasive and unhelpful".
Moran, known for her glamorous outfits and hairstyles when sitting on the other side
of the dock, wore a simple black top and pants and her hair was dishevelled as she
hobbled into court assisted by a walking stick.
She wore black rimmed glasses and appeared to switch her gaze between the bar table
and the ceiling.
At times she lent across the security officer sitting beside her and spoke to Kane.
Her lawyer Damian Sheales said there was simply no evidence that either woman would
attempt to flee the country.
The court heard Kane, a 45-year-old mother of two, lived interstate and was staying
with Moran while in Melbourne for matters relating to the liquidation of a company
she was associated with.
It is alleged she removed the registration plates from the getaway vehicle and hid
them in a safe at Moran's house.
Clothing matching the description of that worn by the gunmen was also allegedly
found in the safe.
Throughout the proceedings, protective services agents kept a close eye on the court
but there was no trouble.
After Ms Popovic refused bail, Mr Sheales and a supporter of Moran voiced their
objections.
Mr Sheales questioned why Ms Popovic did not raise her concerns about the firearm
issue during the hearing. The magistrate rejected the criticism.
As a forlorn looking Moran was led from the court, a supporter yelled the decision
was "garbage, Jude".
"Don't worry about it," the middle-aged man yelled.
"You will be out soon."
The women were remanded in custody until September 9.
Neither woman is unaccustomed to murder in the family.
Moran has lost two husbands, Les Cole and Lewis Moran, and two sons, Mark Moran and
Jason Moran, to gangland murders.
Suzanne Kane's father Les Kane and uncle Brian Kane were both also shot dead.
As the hunt continued for the second gunman and getaway driver, chief commissioner
Simon Overland said even scriptwriters would have considered the scenario far
fetched.
"Fact is almost stranger than fiction with what we've seen," Mr Overland told ABC
Radio.