Laughs, dancing as men deny roles in underworld hit

Two cars, later identified as the first and second getaway cars, were found burnt out shortly after the shooting.

An extensive police investigation resulted in the arrest of eight men who all appeared by audiovisual link to be arraigned on murder charges in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday.

"Not guilty," they each told Justice Peter Hamill when asked what their pleas would be.

The men - who are situated at different prisons across NSW - appeared happy to see each other as their audiovisual links were turned on, exchanging laughs and smiles.

One of them blew a kiss to the rest of them and later showed off dance moves from his tiny prison cell.

The arraignment was plagued by technical difficulties as two of the men were muted and a loud piercing alarm blared throughout the courtroom for another.

"I think the coppers are coming," one of the co-accused said, laughing.

Majok Angelo Deng, 28, Chom Manut Guam Chom, 30, Dut Deng, 26, and Joseph Akuei Santino, 28, have been charged with murder.

The other four co-accused - aged 44, 33, 24 and 22 - have had their names suppressed under court orders.

A three to six-month trial has been tentatively scheduled to begin on February 1, 2027.

However, the court was told that some of the men would apply to have their jury trials heard separately from the others.

The matter will go before Justice Dina Yehia who will hear any legal applications and work out the next steps.

"Thanks everybody, that was fun," Justice Hamill said before adjourning.

Nicknamed "Fathead", Moradian was arrested in 2007 along with his wife Natasha Youkhana and others over what police called one of the largest cocaine and money-laundering rackets in NSW history.

He was sentenced to 16 years and nine months in jail for drug importation and supply.

Detectives believe his murder was motivated by an outstanding $500,000 debt to an organised crime entity.