Williams 'feared' blame over Radev death

Killer Carl Williams arranged a $50,000 hit on drug dealer Mark Mallia out of fear he was being blamed for murdering Nik "The Russian" Radev, a court heard.

A man identified as 'Witness A' told police Williams felt under threat after learning Mallia believed him responsible for murdering gangland figure Radev in August 2003.

To broker the peace, Williams arranged to meet with Mallia to discuss the issue at Crown Casino.

There, Mallia told Williams he had heard rumours that he (Williams) and his close associate Andrew Veniamin were behind Radev's death, Witness A told police.

Williams assured Mallia he was not responsible and would help exact revenge on those who were.

Veniamin - who was also at the meeting - threatened Mallia saying he would kill him and his family if he tried to take revenge on them.

Witness A said word later got out Mallia was trying to arrange a hit on Veniamin and possibly Williams, and in turn Williams wanted to ensure he was in a position to act first.

"(Carl) wanted to send a clear message to Mallia's associates that if they had any intention of targeting him, he would dish out the punishment," he said.

Another witness, identified as Witness B, said that at the casino meeting, Veniamin accused Mallia of hiring two men to sit outside his house and of arranging his death.

The witness statements were tendered during the second day of a committal hearing for four men who each face one count of murdering Mallia.

The men are Christopher Orfanidis, 23, Damien Cossu, 31, Hizir Ferman, 26, and another man, who cannot be identified.

The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard Williams offered $50,000 to the unnamed defendant to lure Mallia to his Lalor house in Melbourne's north in August 2003 "specifically so he could be murdered".

Mallia was murdered in the garage of the house. His charred body was found in a wheelie bin in Melbourne's west.

Williams has already pleaded guilty to murdering Mallia and two other underworld identities.

He received three life terms, with a minimum 35-year non-parole period in May.

The hearing before magistrate Peter Couzens continues.