‘Family is family’: Brother of accused Bourke St driver speaks
THE brother of the man who has pleaded not guilty to the rampage on Bourke Street that killed six people is worried about his sibling’s mental state in jail.
THE brother of accused Bourke St driver Dimitrious Gargasoulas is worried about his brother’s mental health in prison, revealing they have been writing each other letters.
Angelo Gargasoulas was in court on Monday to support his brother, 27, as he appeared before the Victorian Supreme Court via video link for a directions hearing.
The accused man last week waived his right to a pre-trial committal hearing and pleaded not guilty to 39 offences, including six counts of murder and 28 counts of attempted murder, over the Bourke St rampage on January 20.
Mental health experts who assessed Gargasoulas in custody believe his mental fitness to plead and stand trial was an issue.
Director of Public Prosecutions John Champion SC said they were awaiting another report before deciding how the case would proceed.
The report, by the state’s criminal mental health service Forensicare, is not expected to be completed before March.
“I would hope Forensicare would give this matter urgent priority,” Justice Lex Lasry said.
“This is one of those cases where there is some level of pressure.”
Defence barrister Theo Alexander said Gargasoulas’ current mental state was an issue.
“The primary inquiry is his current presentation,” he told the court. Outside court, Angelo said he was worried about his older brother. “That’s the only thing I’m more than concerned about, pretty much his mental health and how he’s doing, pretty much,” he told media.
“Family’s family after all, at the end of the day.” Angelo said he and his brother have been writing each other letters while he had been in prison.
Angelo said his brother had “most definitely” shown remorse for what happened.
“It’s definitely showing,” he said.
