Judy Moran behind bars over gangland killing

Police at the scene of Des 'Tuppance' Moran's killing. Photo / Getty Images

MELBOURNE - As Judy Moran spent the night behind bars on charges relating to the murder of her brother-in-law, a suspicious fire damaged the underworld matriarch's home.

Meanwhile, late on Tuesday night homicide detectives released without charge a man they questioned over Desmond "Tuppence" Moran's shooting death in a busy suburban shopping strip on Monday.

Moran and an alleged accomplice will face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, both charged with being an accessory after the fact in the murder of Des Moran.

The front of Moran's house at Ormond Road in Ascot Vale, in Melbourne's inner northwest, was engulfed in flames about 11pm on Tuesday, just hours after she was remanded in custody.

A passing motorist, and then three neighbours, reported the fire, Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokesman John Taylor said.

"The fire is suspicious. It was under control in 10 minutes. We will be sitting on it all night in case it re-starts," Mr Taylor told AAP.

Victoria Police spokesman Wayne Wilson said police were guarding the scene.

"All I can say at this stage is that the fire is thought to be suspicious. We will have a crime scene guard there overnight and our forensics team will be there later today to examine the scene," he said.

Activities that police allege took place at Judy Moran's house are central to the charges laid against her and two others on Tuesday.

Family friend Suzanne Kane faced the same charge as Moran, while Kane's boyfriend Geoffrey Amour has been charged with murder.

Another man was arrested on Tuesday at Myrniong, west of Melbourne, but homicide detectives released him without charge following extensive questioning.

An out-of-sessions hearing on Tuesday was told Judy Moran dumped the suspected getaway car and was overheard talking about disposing of items used in the murder of Des Moran.

When asked if she was applying for bail, Moran replied "No". Kane, 45, also did not apply for bail.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Bateson told the court a car fitting the description given by witnesses as the getaway vehicle was seen around 9.30pm on Monday leaving Moran's house in Ascot Vale, where Kane - the sister-in-law of her slain son Jason Moran - and Amour were also living.

Det Sgt Bateson said Moran was driving the Ford Fairlane and was wearing knitted gloves as she drove.

He said she dumped the car in Mincha St in nearby Brunswick and the gloves were found in Brunswick Rd.

Moran, 64, and Kane were picked up on phone taps discussing ways of getting rid of "items" used in the murder.

An automatic rifle and a gun case were found in the car, Det Sgt Bateson said.

He also said a search later at a house where Moran and Kane were present revealed handguns, a wig and clothing fitting the description of that worn by the gunmen who shot Moran at the Ascot Pasta and Deli Cafe at around midday on Monday.

Wearing purple pants and a black top, Moran left the dock in a small room in the bowels of the Melbourne Magistrates' Court to spend the night in the cells.

She and Kane were remanded in custody to appear in the same court on Wednesday.

Amour was arrested earlier in the day and appeared at the Portland Magistrates' Court in western Victoria, where he was remanded in custody. He is expected to reappear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

A witness to Monday's murder said he saw Moran race to the scene shortly after her assassinated husband's brother was shot, screaming "Dessy, Dessy".

Police spent most of Monday afternoon and early evening with Moran at her house.

- AAP