Kerry Frank collapses and dies in Melbourne County Court while defending son, Jarrod Frank
A Melbourne mother collapsed and then died while in the witness box defending her son’s good character during his burglary and assault case.
The mother of a man collapsed on the witness stand in a Melbourne court and was later declared dead while defending her son.
The Herald Sun reports that Kerry Frank, 67, was testifying for her son, Jarrod Frank, who appeared in Melbourne County Court on Tuesday to plead guilty to aggravated burglary and assault in January 2020.
The 43-year-old man watched as his mother described his good character before she collapsed and later died.
Ms Frank was reportedly telling the court about the close relationship her son had with his sister and “adoring” nieces and nephews beforesaying she felt sick.
After she collapsed, members of the court reportedly called “code black”.
Mr Frank ws heard crying: “Mum, mum, can you hear?”.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said Ms Frank died at the court’s Williams St address on Tuesday afternoon.
The cause of her death is unknown but is not being treated as suspicious.
Frank was in court accused of trying to rob Adam White at knifepoint in January 2020, while on bail for a fatal stabbing in 2018.
Frank was found not guilty by way of self defence in the 2018 killing of Scott Bury, 49, in Bendigo.
A court said in January that Frank was defending himself after Bury attacked him in the street with two knives and a metal bar.
Frank’s lawyer argued that the stress of the court case caused Frank’s “bizarre and irrational behaviour” and that he had relapsed into using drugs to cope with post-traumatic stress from the 2018 stabbing.
The court heard that Frank had known Mr White since childhood and that he allegedly kicked down the man’s front door.
When Mr White woke up, Frank allegedly punched him and threatened him with a knife
Frank’s matter was adjourned with a date still to be fixed.