Accused baby killer Dwayne Lindsey remanded in custody
UPDATED: A man accused of a baby murder has refused to front court, hours after it emerged the six-month-old was strangled and had injured genitals.
THE man accused of a murdering a baby has refused to front a Melbourne court, hours after it emerged the six-month-old was strangled and had injured genitals.
Dwayne Justin Lindsey, 33, refused to leave his cell on Friday morning so didn’t appear in court when his case was called at the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
His lawyer Jasmine Pisasale said she had “serious concerns for his physical and mental wellbeing” and he was at risk of self harm.
She requested he be assessed by a nurse while in custody.
Lindsey was remanded in custody to appear at a committal mention hearing at the same court on November 24.
The baby, Chayse Dearing, was found unresponsive in a unit in the Melbourne suburb of Glenroy on Sunday night. His mother called emergency services for help but he later died in hospital.
Police launched a massive hunt for Dwayne Lindsey, 33, a friend of Chayse’s mother, and he was arrested and charged with murder by homicide detectives at a home in Sunshine North on Thursday afternoon.
Detective Senior Constable Kevin Burke told an out-of-sessions hearing last night Chayse had injuries to his head, genitalia and had ligature marks around his neck.
The injuries were so serious doctors determined they were unsurvivable and life support was switched off on Tuesday, the court heard.
Lindsey sat with his arms crossed and objected to reporters being in court, turning his back to them.
It’s alleged Lindsey was looking after Chayse while his mother was shopping. Lindsey was at the address when paramedics arrived.
Chris Hamilton, who said he was the baby’s stepfather, told the Seven Network the boy had a playful personality.
“I always played with his teddy bears and he would smile and laugh every time I used to come in the room.”
Another person who said she was a relative, Julie Barnes, said he was a beautiful baby.
“The day he was born, he just melted my heart straightaway. A beautiful little kid.”