Rogerson, McNamara murder trial continues

His accused murderers, Roger Rogerson and Glen McNamara, will return to court on Tuesday as their trial over his shooting death continues.

Inside a silver surfboard cover and wrapped in a blue tarpaulin, the body of Jamie Gao was spotted by fisherman off Cronulla beach on May 26, 2014.

The Crown had alleged the pair killed the 20-year-old student on May 20 past year.

Instead, minutes later, his body was being hauled inside a silver surfboard cover into the back of a station wagon by McNamara and Rogerson.

In an opening address to the jury, defence barrister Charles Waterstreet, representing McNamara, said it was Rogerson who shot Gao twice in the shed and then threatened to kill his client.

Mr Maxwell said that Mr McNamara met Mr Gao some months before the murders when he was working as a private investigator hired by two brothers – Lok Lam and Kit Lam – who were friends of Mr Gao and facing drugs charges. They are also accused of drug supply.

Former detective Glen McNamara being escorted to prison after his arrest.

On April 27 a white Ford Falcon wagon was also bought from a used vehicle dealership and was later used to transport Gao’s body, Mr Maxwell said.

Crown prosecutor Chris Maxwell told the court Gao went to the meeting carrying 2.78 kilograms of methamphetamine, known as ice, and this package was found in McNamara’s auto two days after Gao’s remains were found.

Maxwell said the same vehicle had been the one Gao’s body was dragged into at the Padstow storage site.

He said there were a number of scenarios as to how Gao was allegedly murdered, including that McNamara was alone when he shot Gao in the storage unit.

The defence also said McNamara had “no idea” that Rogerson would bring a gun to the shed.

Roger Rogerson and Glen McNamara had both pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

Their trial at the NSW Supreme Court at Darlinghurst is expected to get underway later this morning.