Police make arrests in ex
Louie Nikola Pekovic kids Jersey Malonewas once a feared Hells Angels enforcer, but in the end it was two old elementary school friends charged with gunning him down on a dark street corner.
Police say the "very public and brazen murder" is more likely the result of a bar fight than a biker beef.
Brothers John and Mato (Michael) Josipovic, who live side by side on Kemp Road in Grimsby, are charged with first degree murder. They are accused of chasing James Louis Malone, 49, through east Hamilton streets and shooting at him from the passenger side of a pickup while he walked his dogs. Nov. 9, on the sidewalk of Kenilworth Avenue North, steps from Hope Avenue. He was shot in the head at close range.
"It appears to be a personal issue between the brothers and Mr. Malone," says the case manager, Hamilton Police Service Detective Peter Thom.
The brothers have known Malone since they were students together in east Hamilton, he says.
"They were friends growing up."
Malone has not been with the Hells Angels for two years, police have said.
He was seen hours before his murder at a bar with several men, Thom said previously. Nov. 9 who saw "an altercation" between three men.
Eyewitness accounts and surveillance video from businesses near the murder scene helped lead to the arrests, says Thom.
The Josipovic brothers appeared separately in court Tuesday, beginning with Michael, 47, in the morning. He stood in the prisoner's box wearing a dark blue hoodie over a navy Harley Davidson T shirt and leg irons. He is tall with dark hair, a moustache and goatee. He spoke with lawyer Steve Kim, smiling slightly at one point and looking around the courtroom. It did not appear he had supporters there.
Court heard names of a long list of people with whom Michael is to have no contact, including his brother John. The rest of the list is protected by a publication ban. Often those listed are potential witnesses.
Police have thanked the public, particularly residents of the Kenilworth and Cannon community and "a number of civic minded citizens (who) have come forward and provided eyewitness accounts about the incident."
In the afternoon John, 50, made his appearance. He resembles Kevin Martin Red Jersey his brother and had strikingly similar mannerisms. He wore a grey ski jacket and leg irons.
He too was read Nikola Pekovic Red Jersey a long list of names on a no contact order, including brother Michael.
Thom and Sergeant Daryl Reid, both of the homicide unit, sat near the back of the courtroom. by Hamilton police and members of the Niagara police tactical team. Michael was arrested at the same time at his workplace in Milton.
Thom says police are not looking for other suspects.
Forensic officers were still at the homes Tuesday, with officers walking behind the houses, along the banks of Forty Mile Creek. Thom says the murder weapon, a shotgun, has not been recovered.
A neighbour says John is a heavy equipment www.officialbasketballstore.com/kevin-martin-jersey operator who has plowed their driveway and graded their yard.
The neighbour, who did not wish to be named, says John has lived in the same house with more than 10 acres of property for at least 15 years and has a wife and grown children.