Porsche driver Richard Pusey trying to negotiate plea deal with prosecution
The Porsche driver who allegedly taunted and filmed a dying policewoman is trying to negotiate a plea deal over a number of charges tied to the Eastern Freeway tragedy.
Police & Courts
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The Porsche driver who allegedly taunted and filmed a dying policewoman on the Eastern Freeway is trying to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution.
Richard Pusey, 41, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link from prison on Thursday where his legal team said they were working to resolve the case.
Top barrister Dermot Dann QC, appearing for Mr Pusey for the first time, asked the court for more time to continue discussions.
“I want to recognise Mr Pusey’s case is one chapter of this absolutely tragic event,” Mr Dann said.
“We have started discussions with the prosecution. So far, they have been constructive. I can’t guarantee it (will resolve).
“However Mr Pusey has instructed us that he wishes to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”
Mr Dann said there were questions around the legality of some of the charges police have laid against his client and if they would stand up in court.
If they cannot come to a resolution with the prosecution, and in light of COVID-19 causing delays at court, he said: “There is a potential for it to play out for a very long time.”
He indicated they wanted the case to remain in the lower court, but that some of the charges would land Mr Pusey in the County Court where he would face higher penalties.
Magistrate Donna Bakos granted a four-week adjournment, but urged the parties to “work hard” to resolve the matter.
“I make no comment about the strength of the charges at this stage,” Ms Bakos said.
“I do encourage the parties to continue to work hard with the view of resolving these matters.”
Mr Pusey remains on remand after he was refused bail when deemed a danger to the community and at risk of reoffending following his arrest in April.
The mortgage broker is charged with 15 offences, including reckless conduct endangering life, failing to render assistance, destroying evidence, committing an act outraging public decency and behaving in an indecent manner.
The allegations centre around the Eastern Fwy tragedy where four Victoria Police officers — Leading Sen Constable LynetteTaylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Josh Prestney and Constable Glen Humphris — were killed on April 22.
The officers were taking part in a routine roadside intercept after allegedly clocking Mr Pusey at 149kmh when a truck veered into the emergency lane and struck them.
He avoided being injured, having walked to the verge to urinate moments earlier.
But an earlier court heard he quickly rushed to his wrecked Porsche to grab his mobile phones and started filming, zooming in on Sen Constable Taylor as she lay crushed between his car and the truck calling for help.
Mr Pusey will face court again on August 13.
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