Footballers quizzed over nighclub clash - The Age
By Luke Eliot
May 4, 2005
West Coast Eagles captain Ben Cousins and star forward Michael Gardiner were yesterday questioned by detectives over January's bloody stabbing and shooting at Perth's Metro City nightclub, which left one man fighting for his life.
Cousins, Gardiner and their lawyer attended city detectives' offices to answer questions about conversations they are believed to have had with one of two men charged with disposing of the gun fired in the fracas.
The men charged are businessman John Kizon and Coffin Cheaters associate David Morris, both of the inner suburb of Northbridge.
Police believe the Eagles stars held the discussions shortly before and immediately after the fight took place in the bowels of Metro City nightclub between a member of the Coffin Cheaters bikie gang, and a Lebanese street gang, Scorpion Boys.
Police allege that Coffin Cheater strongman Troy Mercanti shot Scorpion Boy Nabil Dabag after Dabag stabbed Mr Mercanti - leaving the bikie fighting for his life.
The prosecutor told a bail hearing in the Perth Magistrates Court in February that a hastily arranged clean-up, orchestrated by Mr Kizon, then took place as Mr Mercanti was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.
Coffin Cheater comrade Paul Martino tried to wipe gunshot residue from Mr Mercanti's hands after gaining access to his room by claiming to be his brother, the court was told.
A police source last night confirmed that detectives requested that the pair's presence attend at Curtin House to "assist with inquiries" as part of Operation Gift - the investigation into the Metro City clash.
"They refused to make any comment on their involvement in the matter and the people that are involved in the matter on the advice of their lawyer," the source said.
Sources said Cousins and Gardiner refused to discuss why they were in contact with people allegedly involved in the Metro City clash.
Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett said last night he spoke to three detectives and both players about matter on Monday.
He then asked the players to co-operate with police inquiries.
Mr Nisbett said Cousins and Gardiner were not at the nightclub during the brawl, and they had little knowledge of the incident aside from what they had seen in media reports.
When asked whether the Eagles had instructed Cousins and Gardiner not to associate with Northbridge identities, Mr Nisbett said: "We can't tell any private citizen who they can and can't talk to."
Mr Nisbett said both players had sought legal advice independently of the club.
Three other Eagles players - Andrew Embley, Daniel Kerr and Quinten Lynch - have faced court in the past two years over unrelated late-night incidents.
Embley was cleared of an assault charge, Kerr was convicted of falsifying a prescription and Lynch admitted to a drunken high-speed chase through Perth's southern suburbs.
- West Australian
By Luke Eliot
May 4, 2005
West Coast Eagles captain Ben Cousins and star forward Michael Gardiner were yesterday questioned by detectives over January's bloody stabbing and shooting at Perth's Metro City nightclub, which left one man fighting for his life.
Cousins, Gardiner and their lawyer attended city detectives' offices to answer questions about conversations they are believed to have had with one of two men charged with disposing of the gun fired in the fracas.
The men charged are businessman John Kizon and Coffin Cheaters associate David Morris, both of the inner suburb of Northbridge.
Police believe the Eagles stars held the discussions shortly before and immediately after the fight took place in the bowels of Metro City nightclub between a member of the Coffin Cheaters bikie gang, and a Lebanese street gang, Scorpion Boys.
Police allege that Coffin Cheater strongman Troy Mercanti shot Scorpion Boy Nabil Dabag after Dabag stabbed Mr Mercanti - leaving the bikie fighting for his life.
The prosecutor told a bail hearing in the Perth Magistrates Court in February that a hastily arranged clean-up, orchestrated by Mr Kizon, then took place as Mr Mercanti was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.
Coffin Cheater comrade Paul Martino tried to wipe gunshot residue from Mr Mercanti's hands after gaining access to his room by claiming to be his brother, the court was told.
A police source last night confirmed that detectives requested that the pair's presence attend at Curtin House to "assist with inquiries" as part of Operation Gift - the investigation into the Metro City clash.
"They refused to make any comment on their involvement in the matter and the people that are involved in the matter on the advice of their lawyer," the source said.
Sources said Cousins and Gardiner refused to discuss why they were in contact with people allegedly involved in the Metro City clash.
Eagles chief executive Trevor Nisbett said last night he spoke to three detectives and both players about matter on Monday.
He then asked the players to co-operate with police inquiries.
Mr Nisbett said Cousins and Gardiner were not at the nightclub during the brawl, and they had little knowledge of the incident aside from what they had seen in media reports.
When asked whether the Eagles had instructed Cousins and Gardiner not to associate with Northbridge identities, Mr Nisbett said: "We can't tell any private citizen who they can and can't talk to."
Mr Nisbett said both players had sought legal advice independently of the club.
Three other Eagles players - Andrew Embley, Daniel Kerr and Quinten Lynch - have faced court in the past two years over unrelated late-night incidents.
Embley was cleared of an assault charge, Kerr was convicted of falsifying a prescription and Lynch admitted to a drunken high-speed chase through Perth's southern suburbs.
- West Australian
