A jury involved in a high-profile underworld murder trial has been dismissed by the presiding judge after determining that extending their deliberations would not lead to a verdict. This decision came as the trial was set to enter its fourth week of jury discussions.
Acting Justice Robert Allan Hulme made the call to discharge the jury in the New South Wales Supreme Court case against Samuel John Rokomaqisa. The judge concluded that the likelihood of reaching a unanimous or even a majority decision was unattainable.
Rokomaqisa faced serious accusations, including the murder of Bilal Hamze, a noted figure within the Hamze crime family, in June 2021. Additionally, he was charged with plotting to murder Bilal’s younger brother, Ibrahem Hamze, and with assaulting an elderly man during a carjacking incident.
The jury had been deliberating since September 23, diligently working through the complex details of the case. However, the foreperson communicated to Acting Justice Hulme that even reaching a majority verdict of 11-to-one on any of the charges was implausible.
In discharging the jury, Acting Justice Hulme expressed his gratitude for their dedication and service, acknowledging the time they had committed since the trial began in early August.
Acting Justice Hulme thanked the jurors for their lengthy service since the trial commenced in early August.
“You’ve been here a lot longer than anyone thought you would be,” he said today morning.
“It is disappointing … a criminal trial can go this long and not have a decision either way.
“That’s part and parcel of the jury system.”
Bilal Hamze was shot multiple times after walking out of a Japanese restaurant in Sydney’s city centre in an apparent retaliation for earlier gang violence.
He suffered wounds to his abdomen, hip and elbow, and later died in hospital.
It is alleged Rokomaqisa committed the crimes to demonstrate his loyalty to the rival Alameddine gang and gain their trust so they would employ him.Â
But his lawyer claimed no eyewitness evidence placed the Fijian man inside the black Audi seen to circle the block and pause beside Bilal Hamze when the rounds of shots were fired.
Evidence from people near the scene at the time of the shooting said the windows of the car were “heavily tinted” and the shooter had a mask from the nose to the chin.
Rokomaqisa will return to court on November 7 to hear whether he will face a retrial.
