A Melbourne underworld matriarch faced court yesterday in connection with the execution-style murder of her brother-in-law.
Gangland widow Judy Moran was one of three people charged over the slaying of Des “Tuppence” Moran, a former underworld enforcer who died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head on Monday while having coffee in a suburban cafe.
The Moran family played a major role in a gang war for control of Melbourne’s drugs trade that claimed some 30 lives between 1995 and 2006, sparking fears the latest shooting could lead to a renewal of hostilities.
Moran, 61, was shot at close range by two balaclava-wearing gunmen in a noon hit in a cafe in the city’s busy Ascot Vale area.
Witnesses who saw the killing reported that Judy Moran arrived at the scene screaming “Dessy! Dessy!”
The 64-year-old lost her husband Lewis and two sons Mark and Jason in the Melbourne gang war, which was dramatized in the hit Australian series Underbelly. Since then, she has traded on her notoriety as a gangland black widow with frequent TV appearances portraying her family as unwitting victims of underworld violence.
But she was accused in a late-night court session on Tuesday of helping orchestrate the latest killing and charged with being an accessory in Desmond Moran’s murder. No motive has so far been suggested.
Police told the court that officers saw Judy Moran dumping the getaway car used in the murder that contained a rifle and gun case, while telephone taps captured her discussing disposing of items used in the killing.
A subsequent search of her house revealed handguns, clothing and a wig fitting the description of items used in the slaying, police said.
She was refused bail after reappearing in court yesterday, with magistrate Jelena Popovic saying she was concerned about the safety of members of the community.
Family friend Suzanne Kane has also been charged with being an accessory and Kane’s boyfriend Geoffrey Armour faces a murder charge.
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