Mert Ney: Man charged with Sydney stabbing negotiates plea deal
The case continues for Mert Ney, who is accused of slashing a sex worker’s throat before running through Sydney’s CBD on a violent rampage.
Police & Courts
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A man accused of slashing a sex worker’s throat before running through the Sydney CBD on a violent rampage is negotiating a plea deal with state prosecutors.
Mert Ney, 22, appeared via video link — with a new buzz cut and wearing his prison greens — in the Central Local Court on Tuesday charged with 10 offences including murder.
Ney is accused of killing sex worker Michaela Dunn, 24, at a CBD unit in August last year, before running through the city with a large bloodied butcher knife.
He allegedly stabbed passer-by Lin Bo in the shoulder before frightened witnesses pinned him down on the road with a milk crate and chairs as they waited for police to arrive.
Ney has also been charged with assaulting and choking his sister Yazel Ney, and possessing child abuse material. More than a year on he has not yet entered a plea.
Ney’s lawyer Zemerai Khatiz told the court the Department of Public Prosecutions had presented a “counter” deal on Monday afternoon.
“We need time to consider that offer,” Mr Khatiz said.
“It is anticipated that on the next occasion this matter will be committed (for either a trial or sentencing).”
Magistrate Megan Greenwood told the court the matter did “need to move forward on the next occasion”.
Mr Khatiz told The Daily Telegraph outside court he could not say what deal had been offered by the prosecution.
Charges can in some cases be withdrawn after negotiations take place.
At the last hearing in September, Mr Khatiz told the court his client was mentally “fit” to enter a plea.
The case was adjourned for two weeks.