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Inquest due into Jim Gray killing Coroner call on inquest witnesses
(about 10 hours later)
An inquest into the murder of ex-UDA leader Jim Gray is expected to take place in Belfast later. Northern Ireland's senior coroner has called for extra powers to compel witnesses to attend inquests.
The 47-year-old was shot outside his father's home at Knockwood Park in the Clarawood estate in east Belfast in October 2005. John Leckey was speaking at the inquest into the death of murdered ex-UDA leader Jim Gray, 47, after one of the witnesses failed to turn up.
Seven people have been arrested in connection with the murder, but no-one has been charged. Gray was shot outside his father's home at Knockwood Park, Belfast, in 2005.
The paramilitary had been living in the house with his father since being freed on bail on money laundering charges. Mr Leckey said coroners could not issue bench warrants, adding: "It makes a mockery of an inquest when... a key witness cannot be compelled to attend."
Mr Leckey said coroners could only fine those who ignored witnesses summonses.
Detective Inspector Deborah McMaster told the inquest she believed those responsible for the murder to be members of the UDA.
However, she said despite a number of arrests no-one had been charged.
"The inquiry has more or less come to a dead end," she said.
She said that Gray had been warned by police of intelligence that he wasunder threat some time before the murder. He had made no comment tothem on who he thought was behind the threat.
The paramilitary had been living with his father since being freed on bail on money laundering charges.
He was wary about callers tothe house but didn't say anything about a threat Elizabeth GraySister
The inquest heard Gray had been shot twice in the body with a Magnum revolver causing massive internal haemorrhaging.
Gray's father, James, told the inquest he did not know who was responsible forkilling his son and that he had been unaware he was under threat.
The murdered man's sister, Elizabeth Gray, said: "He was wary about callers tothe house, but he didn't say anything about a threat. He didn't want to worry meor scare me."
Recording that Gray had been killed by two bullets in the trunk, the coronersaid: "It was carefully planned and ruthlessly executed."
He described the victim as "a very well known and prominent member of the UDAin east Belfast."
Gray was expelled from the UDA leadership in March 2005.Gray was expelled from the UDA leadership in March 2005.
In April that year, just over a week after being expelled from the UDA leadership, he was stopped by police near Banbridge, County Down.
'Drug dealing'
He was travelling in a car towards the Irish border and police suspected he was trying to leave the country.
The police found a bank draft for 10,000 euro and nearly £3,000 in cash in his car.
Gray claimed the money had come from the sale of two pubs in east Belfast.
However, police believed it was obtained through crime including extortion and drug dealing.
He was charged with money laundering and possessing the proceeds of crime and was remanded in custody.
As the police investigation continued, detectives seized more than 100,000 documents and raided council offices, planning offices and premises used by solicitors, estate agents and accountants.
Gray had a reputation for dressing flamboyantly and wearing heavy gold jewellery.Gray had a reputation for dressing flamboyantly and wearing heavy gold jewellery.
This earned him a number of derisory nicknames including 'Doris Day' and the 'Brigadier of Bling'.This earned him a number of derisory nicknames including 'Doris Day' and the 'Brigadier of Bling'.