Mr Hawkins, 31, of Cameron Park, was represented by solicitor Kristy Winter when he appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday via audio visual link from Long Bay Correctional Centre.

Mr Hawkins was committed for trial to the Sydney Supreme Court on December 6, when he is expected to plead not guilty to murder and get a trial date in Newcastle Supreme Court next year.

Mr Hawkins is accused of using a "sawn-off firearm" to shoot Mr Denniss once outside a home in Beauford Avenue at 4pm on December 8, 2018.

Mr Denniss and Mr Hawkins, known as "Hawko", were known to each other and had a mutual friend, Scott Woodward, who was Mr Denniss's step-brother, according to a statement of police facts.

A few months before his death, Mr Denniss sold a Honda CRF motorcycle to Mr Woodward for $400 so Mr Denniss could pay his rent.

But later, when Mr Denniss needed the bike to get around he went and traded some items for it and told his partner that Mr Woodward and Mr Hawkins had no problem with him taking the bike back.

About 3.30pm on December 8, Mr Denniss was washing the motorcycle outside his home when Mr Hawkins allegedly arrived, walked down the driveway laughing and asked if Mr Denniss was washing the motorbike for him.

The pair began arguing and Mr Denniss grabbed the motorbike keys and told Mr Hawkins to leave, according to the statement of police facts.

Mr Hawkins allegedly ran up the driveway and Mr Denniss's partner locked the gate. But about 30 minutes later, while Mr Denniss was still washing the bike, detectives allege Mr Hawkins returned to the home and said: "Hey Ken, come here for a minute".

Standing behind the closed gate, Mr Hawkins allegedly pulled out a sawn-off firearm from behind his back and rested his forearm on the top of the gate.

He allegedly pointed the gun at Mr Denniss and fired a single shot, knocking Mr Denniss to the ground.

Mr Denniss's girlfriend screamed for help and Mr Hawkins allegedly walked back to a vehicle and left the scene.