A man has been convicted of murder after fatally shooting someone he accused of stealing a wallet.
On Wednesday, a jury in the Victorian Supreme Court determined that Picking was guilty of killing Jemal outside a shopping area in Glenroy, a suburb in Melbourne’s north, dismissing his defense claims.
While Picking’s 19-year-old son, Brodi, was acquitted of murder charges, the jury found him guilty of manslaughter.
Evidence presented revealed that Brodi was acquainted with Jemal, but their relationship soured in early March following Brodi’s allegations that Jemal, aged 33, had taken his wallet.
The situation escalated on March 28, when the two argued in a Bunnings car park. Witnesses heard Brodi telling a friend that he intended to “f—ing kill the c—,” according to the jury.
In the hour leading up to the shooting, Brodi and Luke Picking were seen driving by places associated with Jemal, such as his mother’s residence.
They located Jemal driving a red Hyundai in Glenroy and followed him until he pulled over and confronted them.
CCTV footage played to the jury showed yelling between the two groups before Jemal was shot in the face.
Luke Picking said “you want a f—ing air raid” to Jemal before firing the gun and speeding off, the jury was told.
He died after suffering multiple shotgun pellet wounds to the face and neck.
Prosecutors alleged after the killing, Luke Picking contacted his friend Ian Harris, 49, to dispose of the gun.
Harris was found not guilty of the charge of assisting an offender.
Brodi and Luke Picking were remanded in custody as they wait to face a pre-sentence hearing.
