'A planned criminal enterprise': Remorseless NSW father-son killers jailed for shooting Hell's Angels heavyweight
A father and son have been jailed for a combined total of four decades after they killed a high-ranking Sydney bikie in a flurry of bullets, one of which hit an innocent bystander.
Wade Basanovic was 21 when he accompanied his father Michael to the Wetherill Park offices of Hells Angels heavyweight Zeljko Mitrovic three years ago.
Months of bad blood between Michael, who had been a member of the gang, and his one-time boss culminated in a heated argument on January 15, 2013 that ended when Wade pulled a gun from his pocket and began shooting.
Dead Hell's Angles heavyweight Zeljko Mitrovic. Source: 7 News
Seconds earlier, it's claimed Mitrovic told them: "You're all f***ing dead."
As Wade aimed five rounds at Mitrovic, an innocent office worker, Michael Bell, was struck.
A NSW Supreme Court jury last year found Wade Basanovic, now 24, guilty of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm with intent.
His father, now 50, was found guilty of murder and grievous bodily harm with intent.
The chaotic scene of the crime. Source: 7 News
Sentencing the pair on Monday, Justice David Davies said Michael Basanovic, who had worked as a methamphetamine cook for Mitrovic, had previously had a good relationship with him.
"But relations soured between them when the deceased started having problems with one of Michael's mates in the Hells Angels, a man known as Shovel," Justice Davies said.
"The deceased questioned Michael's loyalty."
The judge said "the offence was not committed in the heat of the moment," adding the pair had acted "as part of a planned criminal enterprise".
The Hell's Angeles. Source: 7 News
After Shovel's death in 2010, Michael Basanovic was seriously assaulted at the Hells Angels' Petersham clubhouse in an attack he blamed on Mitrovic.
He handed in his club colours soon after.
By 2013 the dispute was still not resolved, and Michael Basanovic believed Mitrovic was going to "knock him".
Indeed, police warned him a contract had been taken out on his life, but Basanovic shrugged off their offers of help.
Michael Basanovic. Source: 7 News
Wade and Michael Basanovic fled overseas following Mitrovic's death, but returned voluntarily some months later.
Justice Davies told how Mitrovic himself was a convicted killer; a "ruthless and violent man who had few, if any, scruples in dealing with those who crossed him".
He has sentenced Michael Basanovic to a minimum of 21 years for murdering Mitrovic and for injuring Mr Bell, while his son was handed an overall non-parole period of 11 years.
The men's aggregate sentences amount to a total of more than 42 years' jail.
Wade Basanovic. Source: 7 News
Justice Davies said it was "understandable, although not really excusable" that the pair had expressed no remorse over the death of Mitrovic.
But he said it was deplorable they expressed no remorse for the injuries to Mr Bell, who suffers permanent physical damage and lasting psychological scars.
Michael Basanovic will be eligible for parole in May 2034, though his full jail term won't expire until February 2041, when he will be 75.
Wade Basanovic's full sentence expires in November 2027.
