Schizophrenic man accused of murdering his mental health case worker tells magistrate it would be ILLEGAL not to bail him in bizarre court outburst
- Peter John Kemball, 40, with bandaged left hand, tells court: ‘no bail is illegal’
- Kemball allegedly killed his nurse at home in Sydney’s Balmain East on Thursday
- Appeared in court without legal representation as ‘too unwell’ for legal aid
- Court hears accused was unable to instruct lawyer or understand proceedings
Peter John Kemball (pictured) appeared in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday without legal representation as he was too mentally ill to give instructions, a legal aid lawyer told the court
A schizophrenic man accused of the ‘very gruesome’ murder of his case worker has told a magistrate not getting bail is illegal.
‘No bail is illegal,’ 40-year-old Peter John Kemball told Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday.
‘If a defendant asks for bail, they get it.’
Kemball, whose left hand was completely bandaged, was facing court for the first time since allegedly murdering community health nurse Stephen James Douglas, 62, in Kemball’s Balmain East home on Thursday.
The court had earlier been told a legal aid lawyer had been unable to obtain instructions from the accused man and therefore was unable to represent him.
‘I believe he’s too unwell to instruct me or understand proceedings,’ the lawyer said.
When Kemball appeared via video link from a police cell conference room, he announced to the court he was 40 years old.
He later asked if he could have bail and be with his family to prepare, before saying ‘this is corrupt’ when advised the serious charge meant it was on him to show why he deserved release.
‘Can I call my dad?’ the accused murderer said.
Acting magistrate Anthony Spence described the police facts of the case as ‘very gruesome’ and stated the man appeared to have been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
‘You’re not legally represented, I’m going to record that you’re not officially applying for bail,’ the magistrate told Kemball.
Mr Spence formally refused bail, wrote ‘mental health issues’ in a prominent position on the court papers and adjourned the case to Central Local Court on Monday.
‘Enjoy the kids… Okay Monday, thanks bye,’ Kemball said, immediately leaving the conference room.
NSW Police at the home on Nicholson Street in Balmain East on Thursday afternoon where Kemball allegedly killed community health nurse Stephen James Douglas, 62
He has been in custody since about 4pm on Thursday, just 16 minutes after he allegedly killed Mr Douglas.
Police were called to the property after concerns were raised for the welfare of those inside.
NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association said Mr Douglas was a very well respected advocate for improvements in mental health and a mentor to colleagues.
Dr Teresa Anderson, the boss of his local health agency, described his death of ‘devastating loss’ – a sentiment echoed by Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor.
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