Rodney John Lee appears in wheelchair accused of shocking double murder
A man in his 70s who is accused of fatally gunning down two men, including a grandfather, has fronted court in a wheelchair.
A 73-year-old accused killer who allegedly gunned down two men in a shocking neighbour dispute has fronted court in a wheelchair.
Rodney John Lee appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with two counts of murder, conduct endangering life and threatening to assault police.
The 73-year-old was wearing prison greens and in a wheelchair for the brief appearance.
According to court documents, Mr Lee fired a shotgun twice into a McDonald St apartment in the Melbourne beachside suburb of Mordialloc on January 13.
Two men – a 72-year-old and a 62-year-old – died at the scene.
Mr Lee’s lawyer Bronwen Robertson told the court that she wanted a neuropsychology assessment for her client.
She said it would go to whether Mr Lee was fit to stand trial.
However, the magistrate said in the accused man’s police interview he made “full and frank” admissions that didn’t immediately flag a cognitive deficit.
Beloved grandfather Saumotu Gasio, who was described as a “beautiful soul”, was the 62-year-old man who was fatally shot.
“Life is short, if you love someone make sure to tell them every day because you don’t know if it’s going to be the last time you get to,” Mr Gasio’s son Rasta said in a tribute.
Mr Lee will return to court in July.