AN alleged "hitman" accused of executing Stockton swimming teacher Stacey Klimovitch in June has been refused bail.
Jason Paul Hawkins, 46, appeared in Queanbeyan Local Court on Tuesday charged with murder over the death of Mrs Klimovitch, who was shot in the chest point blank with a 12 gauge shotgun when she answered the door to her Queen Street home about 8pm on June 9.
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He did not enter any pleas or apply for bail and the matter was adjourned to Newcastle Local Court on Thursday.
Mr Hawkins was arrested at a home in Chisholm in the ACT on Friday.
On Monday, Strike Force Backhouse detectives were granted his extradition to NSW and he was taken to Queanbeyan police station and charged with murder.
Detectives allege Mr Hawkins was the gunman who called out to Mrs Klimovitch and then shot her once in the chest when she came to the door. Despite her daughter's desperate attempts to provide first aid, the 61-year-old died a short time later.
Stuart Daniel Campbell, 29, has also been charged with murder over the death of Mrs Klimovitch, with detectives alleging he orchestrated the killing and hired Mr Hawkins over a bitter feud with Mrs Klimovitch, the mother of his ex-partner.
A third man who detectives allege drove Mr Hawkins to and from Stockton on the night of the murder was arrested on Thursday and charged with drug supply offences.
He has not been charged in relation to the murder and remains behind bars. Police also seized his vehicle.
Mr Hawkins has denied any involvement in the shooting and claims he is being "set up".
Sam Rigney
Sam began his Newcastle Herald career as a night police reporter in 2011. He is an experienced court reporter who has won two national court reporting awards, including the Kennedy Award for Outstanding Court Reporting for his coverage of the Hunter's worst serial rapist. Before working at the Herald, Sam was a sports journalist with the Maitland Mercury where he won awards for his coverage of the Newcastle Rugby League salary cap scandal. Sam is a Novocastrian born-and-bred.
Sam began his Newcastle Herald career as a night police reporter in 2011. He is an experienced court reporter who has won two national court reporting awards, including the Kennedy Award for Outstanding Court Reporting for his coverage of the Hunter's worst serial rapist. Before working at the Herald, Sam was a sports journalist with the Maitland Mercury where he won awards for his coverage of the Newcastle Rugby League salary cap scandal. Sam is a Novocastrian born-and-bred.
