Melbourne man on five murder charges
MELBOURNE: The Melbourne man accused of murdering five strangers and wounding dozens more in a central city rampage has finally been charged, but failed to appear in court.
Dimitrious ‘‘Jimmy’’ Gargasoulas (26) was allowed to stay in the custody cells when his matter was heard in the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court yesterday after he was charged with five counts of murder.
Police were forced to wait three days to charge him after they shot him on Friday after he allegedly ran down pedestrians in Bourke Street mall, killing five and injuring more than 30.
Shortly after doctors cleared him for interview yesterday, police laid five murder charges and said more charges were pending.
In court where Gargasoulas requested not to appear, police sought more time than usual to prepare a brief of evidence, given the enormity of the task ahead of them. A special hearing was set for August 1.
Gargasoulas was on bail when he allegedly deliberately ran down dozens of strangers in Melbourne’s lunchtime crowds, killing Thalia Hakin (10), a threemonthold boy, Jess Mudie (22), Matthew Si (33), and a 25yearold man.
The ensuing public outrage about the bail decision prompted Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday to announce changes to the system.
He said ‘‘no expense will be spared to get this right’’ and extra magistrates and resources would be engaged.
Former director of public prosecutions Paul Coghlan will review the entire bail system and whether police will be able to remand serious offenders overnight until they can face a magistrate in the morning.
The state coroner is also investigating the entire sequence of events leading up to the deaths on Friday, including police decisions made before Gargasoulas allegedly aimed the car at pedestrians.
Victoria police have been under fire for failing to stop Gargasoulas as they followed him earlier that day.
Up to 20 people remain in hospital with at least two in critical condition.
One of those in critical condition is Nethra Krishnamurthy, who had just fed her baby and was returning to work when she was struck. It was her first week back at work from maternity leave.
Thalia Hakin’s mother, Nathalie, and sister, Maggie, were also admitted to hospital after the attack.