Source: Facebook
)A 34-year-old man accused of murdering former WA Rebels bikie gang president Nick Martin has been remanded in custody after facing court.
The man appeared in court this morning after he was charged with one count of murder and two counts of unlawful act or omission with intent to harm.
He was arrested by police at his home in Perth's southern suburbs on Monday evening by officers investigating the fatal shooting of Martin at the Perth Motorplex in Kwinana.
His arrest prompted eight search warrants to be carried out across the metropolitan area and in regional WA.
A suppression order is in place preventing the publication of his name and anything else that might reveal his identity.
ABC News: Hugh Sando
)The man was not able to apply for bail because only a Supreme Court judge can consider bail applications for people charged with murder.
He is due to reappear in court on April 24.
Three months since Perth Motorplex shooting
Mr Martin was shot dead at the Perth Motorplex in Kwinana on December 12 last year during a racing event.
ABC News: Hugh Sando
)Former Bandidos member Ricky Chapman, who was sitting nearby, was also hurt, while a five-year-old boy suffered a minor injury during the shooting.
Police have said it was a single bullet which killed Mr Martin and wounded Mr Chapman.
Police formed Taskforce Ravello to investigate the shooting and the WA government offered a reward of up to $1 million for information about the murder.
The government said the reward money would be payable for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.
Police yesterday said their investigations into Mr Martin's death were continuing.
Court closed for special sitting
There was a special sitting of the court for the man's appearance before Deputy Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Woods.
The courtroom was closed to members of the public other than media representatives and the man, who was flanked in the dock by two police officers, was not required to say anything.
A lawyer for the Police Commissioner, Nick John, applied for the man's identity, including his image, to be suppressed.
Mr John noted that while "a lot of water had passed under the bridge" over the past few days, no full images of the man had yet been published and the Commissioner hoped to keep it that way.
Magistrate Woods granted the application but said she was concerned that "the moment had passed".
"The Facebook spread from yesterday has been in the news, on radio, TV, the whole gamut," she said.
"It's taken on a life of its own."
The man's lawyer, David Manera, did not oppose the suppression order and requested that his client's case be adjourned for six weeks.
He was later driven away from the court under tight security, with police blocking off a nearby intersection so the white van carrying him was not stopped by traffic.
The officers in the van, including the driver, had their faces obscured by balaclavas.
Man's lawyer contacted two days ago
Speaking outside the court, Mr Manera said he was planning to visit his client and see how he was.
Mr Manera said he was first contacted to get involved in the case two days ago.
When asked by a reporter what the man was like, Mr Manera replied "interesting".
He said so far he had spent only five minutes with his client, who had not expressed to him any concerns about his safety or the safety of his family.
'Outrageous killing': Dawson
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said while charges had been laid, the investigation was ongoing.
"What police are alleging is that the man who has been charged with murder ... is the person who fired the fatal gunshot at the Kwinana Motorplex resulting in Mr Martin's death," he said.
"This was an outrageous killing of a person in a public, crowded place.
"The task force work is unfinished and remains ongoing post this arrest — the murder investigation remains open, and we will be speaking with other people."
The Commissioner said the additional charges the 34-year-old was facing related to a man and boy from the same shooting.
He said a $1 million reward remained open.
"My message is clear — come to the police, or the police will come to you," he said.
"Any persons that have not come forward to police yet, I strongly encourage you to do so."
Mr Dawson said discussions were underway with the state government about strengthening laws around criminal association, money laundering and stop, search and seizure powers.
In total, 138 search warrants have been executed across WA as part of Task Force Ravello, set up by police to investigate Mr Martin's shooting and suppress any further bikie violence.
The 34-year-old's arrest takes the number of people charged to 102, with 267 offences alleged.
Police have urged people not to speculate about the case on social media.
