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A Sydney magistrate has refused a bail application for the release of a man accused of murdering five members of the Lin family.
Lian Bin Xie, also known as Robert Xie, has been in custody since May charged with murdering his brother-in-law Norman Lin in July 2009.
Mr Lin’s wife, their two sons and the boys’ aunt were also killed at their family home at Epping, in Sydney’s north-west.
Police allege Xie cut off the electricity to the Lin’s Epping home before bashing them to death.
The 47-year-old faced Central Local Court via video-link today to apply for bail.
His lawyer, Graham Turnbull SC, told the court Xie had no motive to kill the family and any suggestion he did it for money was “complete fantasy”.
He said Xie had his own money after selling his Melbourne restaurant for twice the amount he paid for it, and that he played the stock market and lived off the proceeds of his hard work.
Mr Turnbull said his client had what many would call “a perfect life”, living quietly in suburbia with his wife and family with a 13-year-old-car and a limited mortgage.
He told the court Xie had no military training, no prior convictions and no history of violence.
Mr Turnbull said it is unlikely one person killed the family and that forensic tests have not revealed a time of death for the family members.
“We say this is a very weak Crown case,” Mr Turnbull told the court.
He also noted that police investigated his client for almost two years before charging him.
Xie’s lawyer said three family members have agreed to provide surety for bail and referred to other people who have been given bail on murder charges and have been made to wear electronic monitoring devices.
He said the fact that Xie’s wife and the Lin’s surviving daughter are standing by him reflect well on his character.
Mr Turnbull also said it is unlikely his client will flee the country.
“This case is so weak he’s got nothing to fear,” he said.
But in opposing bail Crown prosecutor Kara Shead said it was a hate filled, personal and brutal crime and that Xie has strong financial ties to China.
She said the murders were “among the most serious that could be contemplated” and involved “the slaughter of five people, including children”.
In refusing bail, Magistrate Julie Huber said the crown case is “not weak”, and the apparent lack of motive does not weaken it.
Xie will now spend Christmas in jail, and remain there until the matter returns to court in March.
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murder-and-manslaughter,
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