Zack Mavin undergoes psychiatric assessment in relation to alleged murder of Bob Palmer at Shortland

A court has heard that prosecutors in the alleged murder of Shortland man Bob Palmer are awaiting a psychiatrist’s report “in relation to a mental impairment defence” of accused Zack Mavin.

The man charged over the stabbing death of popular Shortland local Bob Palmer has undergone psychiatric assessment to see whether he may have been suffering a mental illness at the time he allegedly committed the murder, a court has heard.

Zack Mavin, 25, remains in Parklea prison on remand over the alleged murder of Mr Palmer outside a service station on December 12, 2020.

Robert 'Bob' Palmer died after allegedly being stabbed outside a Shortland service station on December 12, 2020.

His solicitor, John Anthony, briefly mentioned his matter in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, where prosecutors told magistrate Janine Lacy that another four week adjournment was needed.

The court heard prosecutors were awaiting a “supplementary report” from a psychiatrist “in relation to a mental impairment defence”.

Zack Mavin has been charged with the murder of Bob Palmer outside a Shortland service station on December 12, 2020. Picture: Facebook.

Mavin has been held in custody after being arrested hours after Mr Palmer was allegedly stabbed to death outside the suburb’s Metro service station.

Mr Palmer, who was an extremely popular figure within the Shortland Devils rugby league club and at the local watering hole, the Shortland Hotel, was walking up the street with his daughter’s dog to buy a packet of cigarettes when he was allegedly stabbed.

The scene of the alleged stabbing at the Metro Service Station on Sandgate Road, Shortland. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

Mavin is also charged with armed robbery after allegedly holding up another service station nearby with what court documents describe as an “improvised explosive device”.

He has not been required to enter a plea and his case was adjourned until May 4.