SA court told Hindley St gunman Damien Keith Hall suffers post-traumatic stress when movements are electronically monitored
He took hostages, led police on a high-speed chase and caused a CBD shootout, but this criminal says being tracked gives him post-traumatic stress.
Police & Courts
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A hostage-taking gunman whose high-speed chase through the city ended in a Hindley St shootout will suffer post-traumatic stress if his movements are monitored, a court has heard.
On Thursday, counsel for recently-paroled repeat offender Damien Keith Hall said placing him under extended supervision may hinder, rather than help, his rehabilitation.
Their submission came after a forensic psychologist gave evidence that Hall was making some rehabilitative progress, but remained at moderate-to-high risk of reoffending.
Dr Oliver Burgess told the Supreme Court that Hall “represented an appreciable risk” to the community – the legislative standard for imposing an extended supervision order.
“He has made significant gains in terms of addressing his current and future risk factors, but there are still some concerns,” he said.
“While he has been doing very well, there’s some areas where he would benefit from continuous monitoring … he tested positive for methylamphetamine in April.”
In November 2016, while affected by ice, Hall took his pregnant former partner and their two children hostage while armed with a fake gun.
That incident sparked a 90-minute police chase through the suburbs, along Rundle Mall and down Hindley St – officers shot Hall when he threatened them with the replica.
He served a 4 ½-year prison term for that offending, which was committed just 12 months after he indecently assaulted another woman who helped him while he was homeless.
Since his release, Hall has been opposing a state government bid to have him placed under extended supervision.
On Thursday, Garen Truscott, for Hall, said his client opposed “the order in its entirety”, but was specifically opposed to two proposed conditions.
“Being on electronic monitoring is causing him post-traumatic stress issues, arising from his past,” he said.
“Also, given the events of his past, he does not want to undertake group therapy … he does not oppose receiving therapy and counselling privately.”
He asked for further time to obtain an expert report, and Justice David Peek adjourned the hearing until December.
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