Overview
- A jury found Jaeden Tito and Rabii Zahabe guilty in May of murdering Gavin Preston and attempting to kill his companion after a shooting outside Sweet Lulu's cafe on September 9, 2023.
- Crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill told the court the attack was a planned public execution and asked Justice Michael O'Connell to impose life sentences as the only appropriate punishment.
- Defence lawyers argued life terms would be excessive given the men's ages and harsh custody conditions and proposed lengthy fixed terms instead while the pre-sentence hearing continues.
- Prosecutors relied on forensic and logistical links, including DNA on balaclavas and gloves, traces tying the men to multiple getaway cars, and burns on Tito after one car was set alight.
- Police say the motive remains unresolved and investigations continue into who commissioned the hit while court security has been tightened because of the case's organised-crime context.