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Hells Angel bikie found dead, man charged with murder

A BIKIE facing serious drugs charges was viciously murdered in an "extremely violent attack" at his northern suburbs business, allegedly by a man who himself survived a gang ambush.

Jesse Ray Penhall will face court on Tuesday, charged with killing Hells Angel member David John Norris, 39, at his Salisbury business on Sunday night.

Despite Penhall, also 39, of Kadina, being "extremely well known to law enforcement", senior police sources downplayed any fears of a bikie war.

Major Crime detectives have interviewed another three men, who were with Penhall on the Yorke Peninsula.

They were released without charge but senior police did not rule out further arrests.

Relatives of Mr Norris, a father of one, expressed anger at his death, telling The Advertiser how the alleged killer had "ruined a little girl's heart". They declined further comment. A close friend, meanwhile, said it was impossible to comprehend why someone would target his "best mate" in a brutal way.

The man, who declined to be named, said grieving friends and family were struggling to cope with his violent death.

David Norris in 2014, during police raids on his Northfield home (Nine News), and right, 
Jesse Ray Penhall has been charged over the murder of Mr Norris.

David Norris in 2014, during police raids on his Northfield home (Nine News), and right, Jesse Ray Penhall has been charged over the murder of Mr Norris.

Another friend said Mr Norris - a diesel mechanic known as "Panda" - did not "drink, smoke or do drugs" and had lost his partner earlier this year to ovarian cancer.

Penhall survived being shot at least 15 times to his neck, shoulder, hands and stomach in a 2008 ambush, which remains unsolved. It was believed to be linked to a fatal drive-by shooting of a bikie at Wallaroo three years earlier.

He is due before the Port Pirie Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

While police declined to reveal a motive for the violent slaying, court records reveal Mr Norris was facing a District Court trial next year on serious drugs charges.

He had denied one count of trafficking a controlled drug - amphetamines - from his Northfield home in August 2014. He was also due to face allegations in May next year of two unlawful possession of stolen goods charges.

He was also facing a separate threatening to damage property charge at Croydon, in Adelaide's inner northwest, in December last year. An Adelaide Magistrates Court hearing was due next month.

In the ordinary course after an accused person's death, prosecutors would file a nolle prosequi - a formal notice finalising a case without trial.

On Monday as Major Crime, Holden Hill and Elizabeth CIB as well as Crime Gangs taskforce detectives searched his Hampstead Rd, Northfield home of more than 20 years - secured by almost a dozen CCTV cameras - and his industrial Northern City Tipper Hire business, police revealed he had an "extensive" criminal record.

Neighbours expressed their shock. Police also raided at least three Kadina homes.

The four men were seen leaving in a white Commodore. Mr Norris was found inside a shed by a colleague, also a former bikie.

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