Scott ‘Chen’ Czarnecki alleged murder trial continues in Coffs Harbour court

The trial for a Kyogle man charged with murdering a 64-year-old former religious sect leader has heard from a psychiatrist who believes the accused has a mental health defence.

A teen charged with the murder of a former controversial sect leader in Northern NSW heard hallucinatory voices in his head prior to the alleged murder, a psychiatrist in the trial said.

A man, who cannot be named as he was aged 17 at the time of the alleged offence, has been charged with the murder of Scott ‘Chen’ Czarnecki between August 14 and 17, 2020 at Smiths Creek, near Kyogle.

The accused, now aged 20, has pleaded not guilty to murder and to a second charge of destroying property by fire.

The crown will allege Mr Czarnecki’s 64-year-old charred remains were found inside his kitchen on August 16, with an autopsy revealing several alleged penetrating wounds and two “chop-type” wounds.

Crown prosecutor Brendan Campbell said on Monday it wasn’t disputed the teenager had caused Mr Czarnecki’s death or burnt down the house and adjacent water pump.

However, the trial’s key dispute would centre on whether the accused suffered from schizophrenic delusions that Mr Czarnecki sexually abused him and that the mental health impairment prevented him from knowing the deadly act was “morally wrong”.

The defence will submit teen’s use of cannabis had contributed to the first onset of a psychotic episode.

The crown will allege Mr Czarnecki’s 64-year-old charred remains were found inside his kitchen on August 16. Picture: Channel 9/ A Current Affair

Psychiatrist Dr Olav Neilssen, who gave evidence on Tuesday, said he believed the accused did have a mental health defence for the alleged murder.

He told the court interviewing the teen was like “drawing teeth”as he detailed the accused reporting hearing “familiar” voices calling out his name while smoking cannabis.

Dr Neilssen asserted the teen had some degree of hallucination using the drug.

It was previously heard in court the teen smoked cannabis on the day of the alleged murder.

Mr Campbell asked Dr Neilssen why it was the accused did not disclose to police after his arrest his actions or the alleged sexual abuse and whether it was “actually deceptive conduct” by the teen.

Dr Neilssen replied he believed the accused didn’t “realise the police would view it as wrong and that he’d be in trouble”.

Mr Czarnecki was a former leader of the Australia arm of the Twelve Tribes which was known for its harsh disciplining of young children.

Before his death, he had left the controversial religious group which he had been a part of for three decades.

Lead investigator Inspector Aaron Greenwood had been called on Monday to give evidence where he confirmed Mr Czarnecki’s partner described the teenager as generally having a “lack of remorse”.

Forensic psychiatrist Kerri Eagle said the accused's memories of sexual abuse were characteristic of a first rank symptom of a psychotic illness, the court heard on Monday.

The judge-alone trial will continue before Justice Richard Cavanagh in Coffs Harbour Supreme Court.