Lawyers for murder-accused ex-councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden to subpoena medical files of deceased stepdad
Lawyers for a former local government councillor charged with the murder of his stepfather have indicated their next move as the case progresses.
Lawyers for a former Gold Coast City councillor charged with the murder of his stepfather, allegedly sparked over a $25 lunch dispute, are seeking to subpoena the medical records of the deceased man.
Ryan Donald Bayldon-Lumsden was not required to appear when his matter was briefly mentioned at Southport Magistrates Court on Friday.
Mr Bayldon-Lumsden, who was the Division 7 representative for the City of Gold Coast council until March, is accused of murdering Robert Lumsden, the de facto partner of his mother Katrina Bayldon.
It is alleged the fatal incident occurred on August 23, 2023 during a dispute between Mr Bayldon-Lumsden, 30, and his stepfather.
On Friday, the court was told a statement from an investigative accountant still needed to be disclosed.
“There is a delay in respect of his statement, and the delay arises from, as I understand it, Commonwealth Bank,” Ron Behlau, Mr Bayldon-Lumsden’s lawyer, explained.
“There is no ETA at the moment.”
Mr Belau asked for a six-week adjournment to allow the provision of the report.
He indicated they wanted to file subpoenas relating to Mr Lumsden’s medical records.
Magistrate Louisa Pink allowed the adjournment until July 26 for a further committal mention.
Mr Bayldon-Lumsden’s bail was continued.
Police allege Mr Bayldon-Lumsden and his stepfather got into an argument over a $25 bakery lunch on the day of the alleged murder.
During the resulting altercation in the kitchen, Mr Bayldon-Lumsden allegedly placed Mr Lumsden in a fatal chokehold – resulting in his death.
It is further alleged the pair’s relationship was marked by abuse and domination.
Mr Lumsden had allegedly repeatedly threatened to report the then councillor for misconduct for bringing home confidential files from council if he moved out of the family home.
Allegations of the pair’s relationship were aired during a Supreme Court bail hearing days after Mr Bayldon-Lumsden’s arrest.
Defence barrister Craig Eberhardt told Brisbane Supreme Court that his client’s life had effectively been controlled by Mr Lumsden for many years.
This included control of his finances, relationships and career.
“He (Mr Bayldon-Lumsden) told police his stepfather had controlled, dominated, humiliated, abused and threatened him for years,” Mr Eberhardt said.
Mr Bayldon-Lumsden allegedly told police that he had feared his stepfather would reach for a knife on the kitchen countertop and “kill him” if he got off the ground.
Mr Eberhardt told the court that his client had no intention to “hurt” his stepfather but simply wanted to stop him from attacking.
“He’d hoped his stepfather would pass out so he could get away to call police,” he said.
“He accepted his stepfather might pass out, not die.”
Police allege Mr Bayldon-Lumsden had googled self-defences to manslaughter two days before the killing.
This included allegedly clicking on a story about alleged Gold Coast bikie Christos Panagakos being acquitted of the shooting manslaughter of his ex-girlfriend Ivana Jovanovic and searching whether you could be jailed for killing someone in self-defence.
But Mr Eberhardt said prosecutors would need to prove an intent to murder, accusing police of “latching on” to the Google searches.
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Mr Bayldon-Lumsden was first elected to City of Gold Coast council in 2020.
He was suspended from the role with pay by then Deputy Premier and Local Government Minister Steven Miles.
During the local government elections in March, Mr Bayldon-Lumsden lost his bid for re-election by just several hundred votes.