Porsche driver Richard Pusey denied bail on Eastern Freeway crash charges
Shocking details of Porsche driver Richard Pusey’s state of mind have been revealed, with a psych report saying he had fantasies about killing people and was paranoid about being arrested. It comes as his bid for freedom was denied over his involvement in the Eastern Freeway crash that killed four police officers.
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A Porsche driver who allegedly taunted and filmed a dying policewoman on the Eastern Freeway instead of providing help has been declared an unacceptable risk to the community and refused bail.
Richard Pusey’s bail bid was rejected in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this morning after he asked to be released to get mental health treatment.
Magistrate Johanna Metcalf said Mr Pusey had ticked almost every other requirement for meeting bail, including having a stable home address, a supportive wife and employment.
Prosecution concerns he was a flight risk or could interfere with witnesses could have been reduced with strict conditions including surrendering his passport and not contacting witnesses, she said.
Ms Metcalf said compelling reasons had been met due to the “significant delays” his case was likely to face in court due to COVID-19.
Any trial would not likely be scheduled until at least late 2021, therefore Mr Pusey was at risk of spending more time on remand than any sentence imposed if he was found guilty, she said .
But despite this, Ms Metcalf could not get past concerns about Mr Pusey’s mental health and substance abuse, citing a psychologist’s report which said he “at times fantasised about killing people” and had a “daily fear of being arrested”.
The report, she said, suggested Mr Pusey was at “further risk of acting out behaviours” and that if bailed, close monitoring would be required.
Ms Metcalf also said Mr Pusey’s “poor” driving behaviour and criminal history, combined with his drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues was concerning.
If freed, she said he would be an unacceptable risk of reoffending and putting the community in danger.
Ms Metcalf labelled Pusey’s alleged filming of the graphic crash scene as “highly intrusive and morally repugnant” but noted it was not illegal.
“My view is Mr Pusey poses an unacceptable risk of committing an offence on bail and endangering the safety of the public,” she said.
Mr Pusey, 41, is charged with 12 offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, failing to render assistance, destroying evidence and committing offences while on bail.
The allegations centre around the Eastern Fwy tragedy where four Victoria Police officers — Leading Sen Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Josh Prestney and Constable Glen Humphris — were killed on April 22.
The officers were taking part in a routine roadside intercept after allegedly clocking Mr Pusey at 149kmh when a truck veered into the emergency lane and struck them.
Ms Metcalf said defence barrister, Vincent Peters, had failed to submit an appropriate plan to address Mr Pusey’s mental health and drug and alcohol problems if released.
Mr Peters had submitted Mr Pusey would voluntarily see his GP to go on a mental health plan if released.
Police opposed his bail application on the grounds he was a risk to the public.
He was allegedly driving at 149kmh in his Porsche 911 on the Eastern Freeway on April 22 when stopped by police. He was urinating nearby when a truck veered into the emergency lane and crashed, killing the four attending officers – Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Josh Prestney and Constable Glen Humphris.
He was uninjured when the truck ploughed into his Porsche and killed the four officers.
As Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor lay dying, Mr Pusey allegedly got his phone out and filmed her and taunted her.
He allegedly went on to say “all I wanted to do was go home and eat my sushi and now you have f … ing f … ed my car” before fleeing the scene in a passerby’s car.
Mr Pusey is facing 12 charges including reckless conduct endangering life, failing to render assistance, destroying evidence and committing offences while on bail.
PUSEY’S PROPERTY PORTFOLIO REVEALED
The decision comes as its revealed Pusey and his wife have an extensive property portfolio worth more than $12 million.
Richard Pusey, 41, and his wife Ahn Truong have numerous properties in their name.
And just days before the Eastern Freeway crash, Mr Pusey changed a company — Xuxu Pty Ltd — out of his name and transferred it into the name of a country Victorian accountant.
That company owns property worth an estimated $4 million.
Mr Pusey and his wife own a $3.4 million warehouse in Fitzroy, the same property that was graffitied with the word “DIE” after the horror crash.
Mr Pusey has several other properties in his name, The Australian revealed, including a West Melbourne terrace worth about $1.35 million, three units in Doncaster East and land in Lower Templestowe.
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Originally published as Porsche driver Richard Pusey denied bail on Eastern Freeway crash charges