The case of Nikolas Argiropoulos, 24, who was found dead in Ballast Point Park, Birchgrove, on March 22, has been complicated after one of the suspects was stabbed to death in May.
Police prosecutor, Sergeant Rodney Hackett said James Polkinghorne’s death meant the exact details of the shooting of Mr Argiropoulos were not known. “The police can’t determine who was the shooter because Mr Polkinghorne is dead,” Sergeant Hackett said. Miguel Silva, 26, of Casula, was accused of helping Mr Polkinghorne avoid police over his involvement in the death of Mr Argiropoulos.
Mr Silva’s sister, Jessica Silva, 22, is accused of murdering Mr Polkinghorne, her former boyfriend, during a struggle at her parents’ home on Mother’s Day. She is on remand. Miguel Silva is charged with being an accessory after the fact to Mr Argiropoulos’s murder.
Sergeant Hackett said text messages were sent from Mr Silva’s phone to Mr Argiropoulos and Mr Polkinghorne. But Mr Silva’s lawyer, Adam Houda said the messages did not prove any links between the men over Mr Argiropoulos’s death.
Magistrate Margaret Quinn granted Mr Silva bail with several conditions, including he report to Liverpool police regularly and surrender his passport.