SA court to host first appearance of Cy Walsh, accused of murdering his father and Crows coach Phil Walsh
CY Walsh, the son of slain Adelaide Crows coach Phil Walsh, faced court today for the first time, charged with murder. Read what happened here.
A HAIR sample will undergo toxicology testing as part of the case against Cy Walsh, who allegedly murdered his Adelaide Crows coach father, a court has heard.
Walsh, 26, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday by video link with the secure mental health facility James Nash House.
Wearing a bottle-green tracksuit and with his hair cut short and face clean-shaven Walsh sat quietly on a blue chair while the hearing progressed.
Asked by magistrate Elizabeth Sheppard if he could hear her, Walsh replied: “Yes”.
Walsh has yet to plead to one count of murder.
Prosecutors will allege he murdered his father at their home in the early hours of Friday, July 3.
Tuesday’s hearing was the first time Cy Walsh had been conscious for a court appearance, as he was heavily sedated following his arrest three months ago.
At that time, his lawyer spoke for him via telephone link-up with James Nash House, a mental health facility where he was being held.
On Tuesday, prosecutor Lucy Boord asked the court to adjourn Walsh’s case for a further seven weeks.
She said several pieces of evidence had been prepared while others were still outstanding.
“There’s some toxicology still outstanding that’s going to take, I’m advised, about six weeks,” she said.
“The toxicology that’s been done is on a hair sample.
“We’re awaiting a large amount of e-crime evidence that needs to be extracted and put in a format that’s suitable for the court.”
Rebecca Gristwood, for Walsh, told the court her client had been remanded to James Nash House but was not being detained there under a mental health order.
“We prefer that he remain at James Nash House at this stage (but) I don’t have medical evidence to provide to the court at this stage,” she said.
Ms Boord agreed with that course, saying the location at which Walsh was held was “a matter for the authorities”.
Ms Sheppard asked if the hair sample was being tested for DNA but Ms Boord said it was not.
Ms Sheppard then remanded Walsh to face court again in November, and spoke directly to him through the video link.
“Mr Walsh, have you followed what was said here?” she asked.
Walsh replied: “Yes”.
Ms Sheppard continued, explaining the delay would allow prosecutors to “give your lawyer additional witness statements that are required in this case”.
Walsh replied: “Yeah, Rebecca has explained that to me, I understand.”
Walsh smiled at and nodded to Ms Sheppard as she closed the video link.
No members of Walsh’s family were present at court for Tuesday’s hearing.
The Advertiser understands his sister has returned overseas and that his mother visits him regularly at James Nash House.
Prior to his death, Phil Walsh spoke in an interview about wanting to “reconnect” with his son and said his obsession with football made family life difficult at times.
On his online accounts, Cy Walsh spoke of a seemingly idyllic lifestyle combining family time with overseas travel, and invited international visitors to “couch surf” in their home.
Phil Walsh’s death devastated the national football community, leading to outpourings of support from rival clubs, players, fans and commentators.
Adelaide was scheduled to play Geelong that week but, in an unprecedented move, the game was cancelled and the premiership points split between the teams.
Having triumphed over Western Bulldogs on Saturday, the Crows will face Hawthorn in a semi-final at the MCG this Friday.
