MELBOURNE, Australia —

A third suspect in the killing of a former underworld figure appeared in an Australian court Thursday, a day after the dead man’s sister-in-law and another woman were denied bail.
 
Desmond “Tuppence” Moran, whose family was involved in a decade-long war for control of Melbourne’s drug trade, was shot Monday by two gunmen wearing balaclavas.
 
The gangland war—in which at least 28 criminal figures or associates were killed—was fictionalized last year in “Underbelly,” an award-winning Australian television miniseries. Most of the murders remain unsolved.
 
Geoffrey Amour, 43, is charged with Moran’s murder. His lawyers did not seek bail on Thursday.
 
Police say a second suspect is being sought.
 
Moran’s sister-in-law and the family matriarch, Judy Moran, 64, has been charged as accessory after the fact in the killing, along with Amour’s girlfirend, Suzanne Kane, 45. Both were denied bail on Wednesday as the judge deemed them a threat to the community due to their access to firearms.
 
Police allegedly found handguns and a loaded shotgun in the house the women shared, as well as clothing matching the description of that worn by the gunmen.
 
Police had opposed bail for Judy Moran, saying she was a flight risk and could hinder the investigation.
 
“She has shown a propensity to destroy evidence,” Det Sen Const Stephen Reidy told the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
 
Since her arrest Tuesday night, Judy Moran’s home was severely damaged by a suspicious fire.
 
Police accuse Moran of disposing of the getaway car used by her brother-in-law’s killers. Police also allege that she was overheard talking about disposing of items used in the shooting.
 
Desmond Moran is the fourth member of his family to suffer a violent death; his brother and two nephews—Judy Moran’s husband and sons—were also killed.
 
The well-liked Desmond Moran had said he had nothing to do with the family business since a drug-related sentence in 1985. He survived shots fired at his car in March.

Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

› Login to comment

3 Comments

• 

  smartacus at 04:31 PM JST - 18th June

  I saw photos of the old woman. She looks like she could go 10 rounds with a grizzly bear.

• 

  Altria at 04:49 PM JST - 18th June

  What a bunch of morans

• 

  Good_Jorb at 10:48 PM JST - 18th June

  http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/04/12/30njudymoran.jpg

Register or Login to leave a comment