A Sydney high school teacher will remain in custody after being charged over an alleged murder conspiracy connected to the fatal shooting of a 40-year-old man in the city’s west.
Ashleigh Ann Seeney, 28, faced court on Wednesday after police laid three additional charges, including conspiracy to murder and participating in a criminal group. Her earlier bail was revoked and she is due to return to court on November 19.
The allegations arise from the September 2 shooting death of Joshua Macdonald outside a home on Bruce Street at Merrylands West. Police believe Mr Macdonald was an innocent bystander and was killed in a case of mistaken identity.
Police allege surveillance role
Investigators allege Ms Seeney carried out surveillance for people involved in the shooting and later assisted with their escape. Police also claim she communicated with two teenagers and provided information about police movements.
The two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested at West Hoxton on September 11, about 30 kilometres from the shooting scene. According to reports of the police case, a drone recovered during the investigation allegedly helped detectives identify the suspected shooter.
Ms Seeney was initially arrested at a Wollongong unit last Friday. She was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder, participating in a criminal group and failing to comply with a digital-evidence access order. Bail was granted on those charges.
Police arrested her again on Tuesday and laid the further allegations. In addition to conspiracy to murder and a second charge of participating in a criminal group, she was charged with failing, as a vehicle owner, to disclose the identity of a driver or passenger.
Shooting treated as mistaken identity
Police allege a vehicle stopped outside the Merrylands West property at about 3.15pm before a gunman fired several shots through its rear window. Investigators have said the person allegedly intended as the target was not Mr Macdonald.
Detective Superintendent Jason Box said police believed the alleged conspiracy was linked to an internal conflict involving the Haouchar crime family, rather than the wider dispute between the Alameddine network and the group known as the Coconut Cartel.
Those claims remain allegations and have not been tested in court. No finding has been made against Ms Seeney, who is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Teacher stood down during investigation
Ms Seeney worked as a physical education teacher and year coordinator at Airds High School in south-west Sydney. The NSW Department of Education confirmed she had been stood down while the police investigation continued.
“The Department has acted promptly and will continue to fully cooperate with NSW Police,” a spokesperson said.
The case adds another strand to a complex homicide investigation involving multiple arrests, digital evidence and allegations of organised criminal activity. Detectives have not suggested that the school or its students were involved in the alleged offences.
Case returns to court in November
Ms Seeney did not make a fresh application for release when she appeared on Wednesday. With her previous bail revoked, she is expected to remain in custody until the next listed court date on November 19.
The prosecution will need to establish each charge through the court process. Further details of the alleged surveillance, communications and escape assistance are likely to emerge as the matter progresses and evidence is formally served.
