James Gargasoulas pleads not guilty to Bourke St murders

James Gargasoulas has pleaded not guilty of murdering six people in January’s Bourke St tragedy.

James Gargasoulas is accused of murdering six people in the Bourke St tragedy.

The man accused of murdering six people in January’s Bourke Street tragedy has pleaded not guilty to all charges this morning.

James Gargasoulas appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a committal mention today but the case proceeded by way of hand-up brief, avoiding the need for a committal hearing and fast tracking the case to the Supreme Court on Monday.

Gargasoulas, 27, is charged with six counts of murder, 28 counts of attempted murder and charges of making threats to kill, endangering life, reckless conduct, robbery and intentionally causing serious injury.

Magistrate Simon Zebrowski read the charges out to Gargasoulas who appeared via video link despite his lawyer saying it was not necessary.

“There’s a certain discomfort in putting him in the public domain,” lawyer James Yianoulatos said.

He told the court his client’s mental health was a live issue but Gargasoulas appeared calm during the brief appearance and raised his hand in a wave before the video link was disconnected.