Marlion Pickett!

[sconies]

From The Age:

Richmond player Marlion Pickett is accused of stealing more than $380,000 in a spate of commercial burglaries over Christmas and hiring a campervan to move the money across the country.Pickett, who was arrested after his team’s win against Fremantle at the weekend, appeared in the Perth Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was granted bail to return to Melbourne.

The 31-year-old AFL redemption story is facing 12 charges including stealing, criminal damage to a property and aggravated burglary.

Police allege he and his brother-in-law, along with four other co-accused, targeted companies in the Perth suburbs of Nollamara, Girrawheen, Beverley, Beechboro and Perth between December 2022 and January 2023, taking money from safes. On one occasion alone, $325,000 was allegedly taken from a currency exchange.

“It’s said that the money is subject to some alleged laundering by the accused and co-accused in various states in Australia,” the police prosecutor said.

During Pickett’s bail application, prosecutors said he was tied to the alleged crimes because his phone was found to have “pinged” near one of the burglary locations at the time the offence was being committed.

It’s also alleged a campervan that was used to transfer some of the money interstate was rented in his name.

CCTV footage allegedly shows individuals wearing specific clothing that police have linked back to purchases made by Pickett.

They also allege that some of the stolen currency was transferred into Pickett’s bank account “and the same day moved from the accused’s bank account”.

But defence lawyer David Manera said the case against his client was weak.

“The campervan that was rented in Mr Pickett’s name was taken by co-offenders across Australia,” he said.

“It’s not that Mr Pickett has taken property across Australia in a campervan.

“And the phone tower ping in the area, Your Honour will be aware that type of evidence can often be unreliable.

“All it may show is that that phone may have been in that area, it doesn’t show that the offender may have been in that area.”

Pickett was granted bail to return to Melbourne with weekly reporting conditions that will allow him to play football on the weekends.

He will appear in court again via video link on August 21.

 

[bricci]

Not sure if you have seen this link: 3AW - Reporter in Perth
His defence said that there was no DNA or fingerprints of Marlion at the crime scenes.
It does look more like that he is alleged to have facilitated this (wittingly or unwittingly) rather than being at the scene.
The police allege that he purchased tools and a van that was used in the crime.
It looks like currency exchanges were knocked over and AUD and Foreign currencies stolen and laundered.
Marlion has not been charged with money laundering offences, so it would seem he was not involved in that aspect of it.

 

[Ralphie]

Reckon he should be allowed to play.The club took a risk with him the first time and seriously why not this time?Think there are plenty of footballers with criminal records going around.Everyone stuffs up from time to time.Aiding and abetting in a burglary is not rape or murder.Let him play.It will be good for his mental state.

He should play 100% this whole thing sounds off like who says "yeah sure put the stolen money into my bank account"

 

[Tigers of Old]

Good to finally see official context. Speculation is uhealthy. He’s out on bail & innocent until proven guilty.

Hope he lines up for Cotch’s 300th. No reason he shouldn’t at this stage.

 

[bigwow]

Not sure if you have seen this link: 3AW - Reporter in Perth
His defence said that there was no DNA or fingerprints of Marlion at the crime scenes.
It does look more like that he is alleged to have facilitated this (wittingly or unwittingly) rather than being at the scene.
The police allege that he purchased tools and a van that was used in the crime.
It looks like currency exchanges were knocked over and AUD and Foreign currencies stolen and laundered.
Marlion has not been charged with money laundering offences, so it would seem he was not involved in that aspect of it.

Maybe all he's guilty of is trusting *smile* head family members, and lack of oversight.

 

[BrisTiger24]

His defence said that there was no DNA or fingerprints of Marlion at the crime scenes.
It does look more like that he is alleged to have facilitated this (wittingly or unwittingly) rather than being at the scene.

Although they have traced Marlion's phone to a mobile phone tower close to one of the crime scenes

 

[bricci]

Sounds like he allowed himself to be used for the sake of helping his extended family, but still an accessory to the crimes.

Depends on what they told him. I suspect that Marlion would be asked often to buy this or supply that by extended family as it is well known he is on good coin and there is some expectation on him that he will provide and be generous.
So the provision of tools and even a car (van) is not that unusual and entirely possible that he had no idea regards their intended use.
The alleged money being deposited in bank account is suspect to me. If you were a criminal you would not willingly accept / allow this - any transaction over $10k is flagged and that is well known. If under $10k they could have just been returning the funds borrowed.

Remember Marlion willingly agreed to be interviewed (probably did not know he would be arrested).

The more than comes out the better that this is looking for Marlion - he might just have to find some better mates!

 

[bricci]

Although they have traced Marlion's phone to a mobile phone tower close to one of the crime scenes

Maybe depend on what close is and how far it was from his home etc.

 

[Ralphie]

Depends on what they told him. I suspect that Marlion would be asked often to buy this or supply that by extended family as it is well known he is on good coin and there is some expectation on him that he will provide and be generous.
So the provision of tools and even a car (van) is not that unusual and entirely possible that he had no idea regards their intended use.
The alleged money being deposited in bank account is suspect to me. If you were a criminal you would not willingly accept / allow this - any transaction over $10k is flagged and that is well known. If under $10k they could have just been returning the funds borrowed.

Remember Marlion willingly agreed to be interviewed (probably did not know he would be arrested).

The more than comes out the better that this is looking for Marlion - he might just have to find some better mates!

Hiring a van in your own name to use in the robberies, no one is that stupid

 

[artball]

read through the reporting and it's all a bit loose as to Marlions involvement ...

reckon he's been 'over-charged' ... there's some 2+2=5 going on ..

I hope he plays this week ... best thing the club could do is carry on normal

 

[bricci]

read through the reporting and it's all a bit loose as to Marlions involvement ...

reckon he's been 'over-charged' ... there's some 2+2=5 going on ..

I hope he plays this week ... best thing the club could do is carry on normal

I think your 'over charged' comment is on the money. (the phone ping, the van and the clothes - most circumstantial)
Also don't forget that for some coppers there would be some notoriety in an arrest like this.

 

[Ripplestick]

Although they have traced Marlion's phone to a mobile phone tower close to one of the crime scenes

Was Marlion in possession of his phone at the time or was someone else using it?

 

[spook]

My phone pings to Sydney sometimes, 800km away.

 

[Jake]

Depends on what they told him. I suspect that Marlion would be asked often to buy this or supply that by extended family as it is well known he is on good coin and there is some expectation on him that he will provide and be generous.
So the provision of tools and even a car (van) is not that unusual and entirely possible that he had no idea regards their intended use.
The alleged money being deposited in bank account is suspect to me. If you were a criminal you would not willingly accept / allow this - any transaction over $10k is flagged and that is well known. If under $10k they could have just been returning the funds borrowed.

Remember Marlion willingly agreed to be interviewed (probably did not know he would be arrested).

The more than comes out the better that this is looking for Marlion - he might just have to find some better mates!

Yes Cash is king.

 

[eZyT]

My feelings on Marlion

I love him if hes guilty, i love him if hes innocent.

I accept him; his footy and his flaws

Because no man can separate his parts.

And sometimes whats bad, makes you good.

 

[spook]

I think your 'over charged' comment is on the money. (the phone ping, the van and the clothes - most circumstantial)
Also don't forget that for some coppers there would be some notoriety in an arrest like this.

Plus he has a lot to lose and could theoretically be convinced to testify against the real villains. He might find that hard to do but if he's innocent he has to for the sake of his family.

 

[Baloo]

Plenty of disappointed family members at the moment. They're frustrated, angry and sad this has happened. Marlion was being held up as the example that despite your past, you can drag yourself out and make something for yourself. He was living the dream and there are plenty living that dream through him.

 

[Rfc4Ever]

Alot of unknowns.

 

[123cups]

I have faith he'll be fine and will believe him if he says he's innocent, and I won't stop supporting him if he's found guilty.

In the months after signing a $500,000 contract, he was probably just trying to be generous and helpful to relatives. Almost certainly coming from a good place. Still an inspiration and will be cheered loudly by the Tiger Army this weekend if he's right to play.

Hope he runs out next to Cotch.

 

[Smoking Aces]

I hope he plays this week.