Homicide police have moved to extradite a Victorian prison inmate to NSW, to be charged over the murder of Lake Heights man Saso Ristevski.
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Melbourne underworld figure Lloyd Anthony Murrell is among three men who allegedly confronted Mr Ristevski moments before the convicted drug trafficker was shot dead outside his parents’ Barina Avenue home about 8.30pm, September 28, 2011.
Police believe Ristevski was shot when the robbery turned sour. Homicide Squad Detective Chief Inspector David Laidlaw said police would not be alleging Murrell pulled the trigger.
“We're currently investigating the identity of [the gunman].” Detective chief inspector Laidlaw said.
A charge of murder can apply when someone dies as a consequence of serious crime being committed, such as armed robbery.
On Friday, Victorian Attorney-General solicitors applied in Melbourne Magistrates Court to transfer Murrell interstate from Port Phillip Prison, at the request of the NSW Solicitor General.
It follows a warrant issued by Parramatta Local Court for Murrell's arrest on charges of murder and assault with intent to rob in company, causing wounding
Defence barrister Louis Katsinas argued against the transfer, saying it would cause Murrell's medical treatment to be delayed and affect his mental health.
But Magistrate Tim Bourke granted the application, saying there was no evidence the trip would be "harsh and oppressive", as claimed.
Murrell, 45, has two weeks to appeal his extradition. If it goes ahead, he is expected to be charged over unrelated crimes once back on NSW soil.
Murrell is serving a 17-and-a-half year jail term with a minimum 14 years for a series of violent offences.
He was among a gang of four masked intruders who broke into the Ballarat home of prominent restaurateur James Frangos and his family in 2014, waving guns and steel poles. The robbers beat Mr Frangos with a pole as his family watched, while his three grandchildren were upstairs. They threatened to crush his skull, chop off fingers and shoot family members as they demanded cash and collected $100,000 in jewellery.
In another robbery at Sunshine in 2011, Murrell and a co-offender entered a house clad in balaclavas and carrying two handguns, which they pointed at two children aged 12 and 14.