Nov 03, 2008 - 02:22 PM

By Jeff Mitchell

WHITBY -- Business comes before blood feuds in the world of biker gangs, an expert witness has testified at the trial of two Hells Angels.

Referring to documents seized in police raids of bikers' homes and clubhouses, Sergeant Kenneth Davis, a member of the provincial Biker Enforcement Unit, said the Hells Angels counselled peace over conflict in dealing with rival groups such as the notorious Bandidos.

The notes, taken at various meetings and introduced at the trial of two Hells Angels members accused of conspiring to commit murder, reflect a desire among bikers to avoid attracting attention by engaging in open conflict with other gangs, Sgt. Davis said.

"They'd seen what happened in Quebec with the wars that happened there and the results of those wars," said the witness, referring to a bloody spate of incidents between the Angels and the insurgent Rock Machine.

"It's not good for business.

"It's much like a cold war," Sgt. Davis said. "Everyone's at the ready but nobody's taking massive action."

The notes entered into evidence show the Angels in Ontario were wary of two groups -- the Bandidos and the Outlaws. Bandidos are rivals of the Hells Angels while the Angels were attempting to court the Outlaws, jurors heard.

In one set of minutes it's noted, "No one wants to be friends with the Bandidos, but we're not going to start anything."

In reference to the Outlaws, members are advised they shouldn't party with their rivals or visit Outlaws clubhouses, but Angels may "shake hands if you like."

This detente reflects an uneasiness among rival criminal organizations and a desire not to attract police attention with overt violence, Sgt. Davis said.

"They know an open war is bad for everybody," he said.

The testimony came in the trial of Mark Stephenson of Sunderland and Remond Akleh of Cobourg. The men have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and counselling to commit murder in what the Crown alleges was a plot to assassinate a rival.

The trial, presided over by Superior Court Justice Bruce Glass, continues.