Accused Bendigo murderer James Pualic seeks ‘critical’ psychiatric assessment

The former lover accused of murdering a Bendigo mother-of-four in front of her kids has sought a psychiatric assessment in a move that could determine the future of the matter.

Logee Osias enjoyed spending time outdoors. Picture: Supplied

The man accused of murdering a Bendigo mother-of-four in front of her kids has requested a “critical” psychiatric assessment that could “determine” the future of the matter, delaying the case.

James Pualic, 44, faced Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with the murder of 46-year-old Logee Osias.

Mr Pualic was on bail when he allegedly murdered Ms Osias in front of her two daughters in her Kangaroo Flat home on October 29, 2023, the court previously heard.

Police at a home in Kangaroo Flat in Bendigo where a woman was found dead with two school aged children still inside the home when police arrived. Picture: Aaron Francis

The Junortoun man was arrested about five hours after the alleged murder in a nearby reservoir near Harcourt North Rd, after one of Ms Osias’ young children called triple-0.

Mr Pualic and Ms Osias “were in a former domestic relationship”, according to police.

In court on Wednesday Mr Pualic’s lawyer Angie Wong asked Magistrate Trieu Huynh to adjourn the case to June to obtain a “critical” psychiatric assessment that would “determine the way this matter will progress”.

A fundraiser has been launched for the children of Bendigo mum, Analyn “Logee” Osias Picture: Supplied

Ms Wong said based on “evidence” and a “review of medical records”, the defence “have formed a very strong forensic view that this assessment is necessary”.

“What comes of that assessment we can’t say, however this is a necessary step for us to progress the matter,” she said.

“In terms of the delay, it’s obviously an extremely serious charge … however in our view it’s a necessary step.”

Mr Huynh asked if the psychiatric assessment would go towards determining Mr Paulic’s fitness to face criminal responsibility for the alleged murder.

Police at the Bendigo house where 46-year-old mother of four Logee Osias was found dead. Picture: Aaron Francis

Ms Wong said the psychiatric assessment wasn’t a matter of fitness “at this stage”.

The court heard the defence had subpoenaed health records from around the time of the alleged murder and historic records as they built their defence.

Mr Huynh said he was reluctant to delay the case for such a long period of time, but granted the adjournment.

The case was adjourned to mid-June.

Mr Pualic remains behind bars remanded in custody.