Months before a doctor was gunned down in his Sydney garage, his brother-in-law said "a man like this will not have long to live", a NSW jury has been told.
Mark Caleo has pleaded not guilty to soliciting the murder of his brother-in-law Michael Chye, who was shot in the head at close range as he drove into the garage of his Wollahra home in October 1989.
The 55-year-old has also pleaded not guilty to soliciting the murder of his wife, Rita Caleo, who was stabbed 23 times in her Double Bay townhouse in August 1990.
That hit was allegedly carried out by Alani Afu, 50, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Caleo.
The crown has alleged Caleo felt he was being ripped off by the siblings.
Giving evidence at the NSW Supreme Court trial on Friday, Ping Kon Yap said he was a passenger in Caleo's car in August 1989 when they drove to look at Dr Chye's house.
They were looking over the fence when Caleo said "a man like this will not have long to live", Mr Yap said.
Sometime later, Mr Yap said, he found out his wife was having an affair with Caleo.
But, under cross-examination from Caleo's barrister, Grant Brady SC, he said he did not blame Caleo for the breakdown of his marriage.
"It takes two hands to clap ... I am angry at my wife," he said.
Prosecutor Margaret Cunneen SC has told the jury Ms Caleo had written her husband out of her will amid suspicions he was having an affair.
Her brother, Dr Michael Chye, had threatened to sue Caleo over a failed business deal, Ms Cunneen said.
In his opening address, Mr Brady alleged that Dr Chye's real killer was a fellow doctor and bankrupt associate, who had been burned after a property deal turned sour.
He also alleged Ms Caleo's death was the result of a robbery gone wrong and had nothing to do with her husband.
The trial is continuing.
Australian Associated Press
