An outlaw motorcycle gang member who orchestrated a hit on a rival is about to face justice.
The 43-year-old will appear before the Western Australian Supreme Court this Wednesday for his sentencing.
This individual, Pye, recruited Benjamin Luke Johnston, a former army reservist, to execute the plan at a well-attended raceway event.
Johnston fired a .308-calibre rifle from a distance of 365 meters, hitting the target, Martin, in the chest. Martin’s immediate reaction was to cry out, “I’ve been shot.”
The projectile continued its deadly path, passing through Martin’s back and striking his son-in-law, Ricky Chapman, in the leg before embedding in his arm.
While Martin succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, his son-in-law managed to survive the ordeal.
About 2000 people were at the event and a five-year-old child was seated behind Martin.
Pye later sent the shooter a message consisting of two coffin emojis and a hand clap emoji.
“One dead, one serious,” he said.
Pye promised Johnston $150,000 to carry out the hit on his one-time ally.
Their relationship had soured when Pye defected from the Rebels to the Comancheros.
The shooter was given $10,000 to do reconnaissance on Martin, who was tailed to his house and had a drone flown over the property.
He scoped out Perth Motorplex on two separate occasions.
Johnston was also convicted of Martin’s murder and is serving 18 years after receiving a substantial sentencing discount in exchange for his co-operation.
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