Tootgarook mum Joanne Finch in court charged with murder of son Brodie
A MORNINGTON Peninsula mum who allegedly murdered her eight-year-old son was suffering a “major depressive illness”, a court has heard.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A MOTHER charged with the murder of her eight-year-old son Brodie was suffering a “major depressive illness”, a court has heard.
Joanne Finch, 42, appeared this morning via videolink at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, appearing noticeably more alert than she had during a previous hearing.
WOMAN ARRESTED OVER BRODIE’S DEATH
Her barrister Brendan Wilkinson said he had obtained a specialist psychiatric report which concluded Ms Finch was suffering “a major depressive illness”.
Ms Finch will now be examined by prosecution psychiatrists from Forensicare.
If a similar conclusion is reached, it is likely Ms Finch will have a defence of mental impairment and the matter may not proceed to a committal heading, Mr Wilkinson said.
Ms Finch was charged in March with the murder of her son at their home in Tootgarook.
At her first court appearance, Ms Finch appeared dazed and asked for antidepressant medication.
The matter returns to court in October.