Ex-bikie 'sorry' about fatal brawl
GEESCHE JACOBSEN CRIME EDITOR
June 10, 2010
AS Anthony Zervas lay dying in the Sydney domestic airport terminal, four Comanchero bikies jumped in a taxi back to the home of their boss's mum.
It was there that one of them, Christian Menzies, allegedly said he had killed Anthony Zervas, according to a church-going former bikie known only as AL who apologised in the District Court yesterday for his role in the events that Sunday afternoon in March last year.
The first fight had erupted at the terminal shortly after 1.30pm, outside Gate 5, when the Comanchero president, Mick Hawi, had hit the president of the rival Hells Angels, Derek Wainohu. This developed into a two-minute ''brawling mass'', according to a document tendered in court, where AL is being sentenced for his role in the event.
A series of fights erupted about five minutes later in the departure hall. Words turned to punches and kicks before metal stands were swung with ''extreme wickedness'', in the words of a witness.
Soon, Anthony Zervas was lying on the floor, at which point AL allegedly saw Mr Menzies pick up a bin and hit him twice. After the second hit, Mr Zervas no longer moved.
AL, who had been a Comanchero nominee for only a few months, left the club five days later.
A fortnight after he was arrested, he gave evidence to police about what had happened. He has been fearing for his and his family's safety since.
Yesterday, AL apologised to Mr Zervas's parents and ''everyone that was there that day''. ''Hand on my heart I'm very sorry what happened,'' he said.
AL - an imposing figure with a criminal record - had been in church earlier that day, taking his child to Sunday school. Later he received a call and was picked up by a fellow Comanchero. According to AL, he believed they were going to pick up Mr Hawi, but on the way to the airport, he learnt Hells Angels were expected to be there.
He thought there might be a fight, but believed bikie rules state ''you don't do that in front of other people''.
There was bad blood between the clubs, a dispute over drug distribution territory, he later told police.
In the first fight AL, who has pleaded guilty to riot and affray and had murder charges against him dropped, had instinctively punched someone after being hit, while in the second he had chased someone and was away from Mr Zervas.
The court also heard that police would allege the club's road captain, Fares Abounader, had earlier stabbed Mr Zervas.
Ten Comanchero are charged with murder; another one, who also promised to give evidence at their trial, is facing lesser charges. Three Hells Angels have also been charged.
The court adjourned AL's sentencing until next week.