Murder case complicated by death, court told - Sydney Morning Herald

Nikolas Argiropoulos ... found dead in Birchgrove.

One man was found shot dead in a Sydney park. Another was killed on Mother's Day.

The case of Nikolas Argiropoulos, 24, who was found dead in Ballast Point Park, Birchgrove, on March 22, has been complicated by the stabbing death of James Polkinghorne in May, Newtown Local Court heard on Thursday.

Miguel Silva, 26, of Casula, was accused of assisting Mr Polkinghorne avoid police over his involvement in the death of Mr Argiropoulos.

Mr Silva's sister, Jessica Silva, 22, is accused of murdering Mr Polkinghorne, her former boyfriend, during a struggle at her parents' home on Mother's Day. She is on remand.

Miguel Silva is charged with being an accessory after the fact to Mr Argiropoulos's murder.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Rodney Hackett, opposed bail, saying it was a serious allegation and Mr Silva allegedly "assisted the deceased in avoiding prosecution".

But Mr Hackett said Mr Polkinghorne's death meant the exact details of the shooting of Mr Argiropoulos were not known.

"The police can't determine who was the shooter because Mr Polkinghorne is dead," Mr Hackett said.

Mr Hackett told the magistrate Margaret Quinn that Ms Silva was one of several witnesses in the case.

Mr Silva's lawyer, Adam Houda, argued the case against his client was weak and that he should be released on bail because he had no previous convictions, was hard working and had strong community ties.

"There is no allegation that my client was involved in the killing," Mr Houda said.

Sergeant Hackett said text messages were sent from Mr Silva's phone to Mr Argiropoulos and Mr Polkinghorne.

But Mr Houda said the messages did not prove any links between the men over Mr Argiropoulos's death.

Magistrate Quinn granted Mr Silva bail but his release was delayed while the police applied to appeal against her decision in the NSW Supreme Court.

Mr Silva's parents were in court, as was his pregnant fiancee.

Mr Argiropoulos's father, Nikos, was also in court.

The matter will be mentioned in Central Local Court next month.