OFF THE WIRE
BIKIE Ross Brand's murderer has made a bid for freedom while his brother appeals for leniency for his role in the killing.
Derek and John Bedson, who are members of Death Before Dishonour, an offshoot of the Rebels Motorcycle Club, shot 51-year-old Brand outside the Bandidos' Breakwater club house on Geelong Cup day in 2008.
John Bedson, 27, has appealed against his conviction and 23-year jail term after a jury found him guilty of murder.
The jury rejected his not-guilty plea and found he fired at least six shots with the intention of killing a rival member as payback over a fight at Geelong racecourse earlier in the day.
Derek Bedson, who initiated the shooting, was jailed for 12 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter but is appealing against the severity of his sentence.
Unprecedent ed security greeted about 60 bikies from the rival gangs who packed the courtroom when Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Curtain sentenced the duo in Geelong in March.
he told John Bedson his actions were driven by a "misguided loyalty to the Rebels, or DBD".
"You came to the view that you were justified in taking retaliatory action," Justice Curtain said.
The getaway driver told the trial John Bedson covered his face with a bandanna before opening fire from a car with a hail of bullets, including one that hit Brand in the head.
he told John Bedson his actions were driven by a "misguided loyalty to the Rebels, or DBD".
"You came to the view that you were justified in taking retaliatory action," Justice Curtain said.
The getaway driver told the trial John Bedson covered his face with a bandanna before opening fire from a car with a hail of bullets, including one that hit Brand in the head.
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