Jury to decide mental state of accused killer

A JURY is set to decide whether accused Bourke St driver Dimitrious Gargasoulas is mentally fit to stand trial over the 2017 rampage that killed six people, including two children.

Gargasoulas, 28, appeared before the Victorian Supreme Court via video link yesterday for an administrative update about his case. He has pleaded not guilty to six counts of murder and 28 charges of attempted murder over the Bourke St mall rampage on January 20, 2017.

Prosecutor Andrew Tinney SC said the Crown’s experts did not agree that Gargasoulas was unfit for trial.

“There is a real and substantial question about the accused’s fitness to stand trial,” he told the court.

The defence has previously said its experts believe the 28year-old is unfit to stand trial.

It’s understood all the experts agree Gargasoulas suffers from schizophrenia, but one crown expert holds a contrary view about how if affects Gargasoulas’ current mental state.

Gargasoulas will face an investigation hearing next month before a jury that will determine if he is fit to stand trial.