Louise Bell murder trial to resume following recovery of accused killer Dieter Pfennig from heart attack

DIETER Pfennig’s trial for allegedly killing Louise Bell will resume in two weeks, despite his counsel’s request it be postponed until the end of May.

Trial to resume after heart attack

DIETER Pfennig’s trial for allegedly killing Louise Bell will resume in two weeks, despite his counsel trying to have it postponed until the end of May.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard doctors had concluded Pfennig was fit to stand trial following a heart attack that required five stents and a medically-induced coma.

Pfennig’s counsel argued the court should wait until their client was “back to normal” and “fully recovered” from possible fatigue.

Acting Justice Michael David, however, said the medical evidence was clear.

“The doctors say he will be all right in approximately two weeks and I see no reason why we shouldn’t continue this trial then,” he said.

“No, I’m getting on with it ... they are confident he is all right, so I don’t see why we can’t get on with this.”

Pfennig, 67, suffered a heart attack in his Yatala Labour Prison cell last week.

He has pleaded not guilty to abducting Louise, 10, from her Hackham West home on January 4, 1983, and murdering her at some time before March 1 that year.

He is currently serving a life sentence for the 1989 murder of Michael Black, 10.

Neither child’s body has ever been recovered, and witnesses claim Pfennig has said they are buried together.

Pfennig’s trial, in the absence of a jury, started on September 20 last year and has run for almost 50 days over the past six months.

Under state law, the trial could continue in his absence were he deemed medically unfit and, were he to be found guilty, Pfennig would be detained in hospital instead of jail.

On Tuesday, the court was told Pfennig was “sitting up doing crossword puzzles in hospital”.

On Wednesday, the court heard evidence from Royal Adelaide Hospital senior staff specialist cardiologist Dr Dale Ashby.

He said Pfennig suffered a heart attack in prison between 9am and 10am on March 21, was resuscitated on-site and transferred to hospital.

Dr Ashby said Pfennig required four stents to deal with blocked arteries, and a fifth a day later to address fluid on the lungs.

“He was moved from intensive care to a ward on Sunday, March 27, and was alert, oriented and no longer short of breath,” he said.

“On the Monday he was doing crossword puzzles and some drawing and things ... we did not see the need for any cognitive assessment ... he was discharged yesterday.

“My opinion is he will be fit to stand trial in two weeks from discharge.”

Dr Ashby added Pfennig may “be a little tired and lethargic” for a further two months, after which he would “be completely normal again”.

Paul Charman, for Pfennig, said it was appropriate to wait until then.

“We are going to ask to have him cognitively tested,” he said.

Justice David said Mr Charman could “do what you like”, but ordered evidence be heard in Pfennig’s absence on April 6 and the trial resume on April 12.

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