A Victorian judge has criticised justice authorities for withholding medical records on the man accused of the Bourke St rampage, which could help determine whether or not he’s fit to stand trial.
Counsel for Dimitrious Gargasoulas on Monday said the Department of Justice and Regulation had not handed over the records, which they need to assess his case.
‘I can’t believe that in a case like this, that the Department of Justice is taking that type of attitude,’ Victorian Supreme Court Justice Lasry said on Monday. ‘It’s ridiculous.’
Counsel for Dimitrious Gargasoulas (pictured) on Monday said the Department of Justice and Regulation had not handed over the records, which they need to assess his case
Gargasoulas is facing six counts of murder and 29 charges of attempted murder after a car mowed down pedestrians in Melbourne on January 20
Gargasoulas is facing six counts of murder and 29 charges of attempted murder after a car mowed down pedestrians in Melbourne on January 20.
He is accused of driving through the Melbourne CBD, deliberately striking pedestrians around Bourke and Queen streets before police shot and wounded him.
Gargasoulas’ case is still before Melbourne Magistrates Court, but the defence and prosecution have been providing updates about its progress to the Supreme Court.
Monday’s brief hearing was the third update from counsel.
Justice Lasry has previously said he was concerned Gargasoulas’ case would take too long to reach the trial stage.
‘What I was concerned was going to happen, has happened,’ he said on Monday.
Justice Lasry has previously said he was concerned Gargasoulas’ case would take too long to reach the trial stage. ‘What I was concerned was going to happen, has happened,’ he said on Monday
Gargasoulas is accused of driving through the Melbourne CBD, deliberately striking pedestrians around Bourke and Queen streets before police shot and wounded him.
He also said any questions about Gargasoulas’ fitness to plead or mental impairment needed to be settled in the Supreme Court as soon as possible.
‘The sooner this matter is brought into this court, the better, surely,’ the judge said.
Justice Lasry has urged the Department of Justice to work with Gargasoulas’ legal team.
‘It seems to me … they are holding up the process,’ he said.
The judge has urged the department to ‘get on with it’.
Director of Public Prosecutions, John Champion SC, said he sent Gargasoulas’ defence team a 6500-page brief of evidence, which included 900 witnesses.
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