Richard Pistrin ‘too unwell’ to front court over Geelong hotel murder

A man accused of murdering an elderly guest inside a Geelong hotel was too unwell to front court with prosecutors unsure where he was being held in custody.

Police at the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel in Geelong. Picture: Eddie Russell

A man accused of murdering an elderly guest inside a Geelong hotel is “very unwell” and has been in a holding cell in Melbourne for more than a week, a court heard.

Richard Pistrin, 34, was charged with one count of murder after allegedly fatally stabbing a 67-year-old New Zealand national inside the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel on February 19.

Police made an application for compulsory procedure at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, which is ordered when a person refuses or is incapable of undergoing a forensic test.

The order was in relation to police swabbing and photographing his hands.

But there was some confusion in the courtroom with the prosecution unsure where Mr Pistrin was being held while in custody and if he needed to be present for the hearing.

The prosecution discovered he had been in a cell at the Melbourne Custody Centre, which is at the courthouse, since his first appearance on February 20.

Police had applied for an interim order on that day for forensic samples to be taken from Mr Pistrin however the order needed to be finalised in court.

Further checks of the legislation indicated Mr Pistrin must be present in the courtroom for that to happen.

The hearing was moved to a different courtroom in a bid to progress the matter.

A Victorian Legal Aid (VLA) lawyer went to the cells to visit Mr Pistrin but determined he was unfit to be brought to the courtroom.

“It seems you are blocked, Madame prosecutor,” the magistrate said.

“There really is no way around it.”

Sir Charles Hotham Hotel on Brougham St. Picture: Alan Barber

The VLA lawyer told the court Mr Pistrin’s legal representation had tried to meet with him this week but he was “very unwell”.

The matter was adjourned for procedural fairness so Mr Pistrin could stabilise and be able to speak to his legal representation.

Police allege a fight broke out between the two men, who were staying at the Brougham St hotel, just before midnight.

The victim was found with stab wounds and had allegedly been assaulted by Mr Pistrin.

He is then alleged to have fled the scene and was arrested on Elizabeth St in Melbourne’s CBD the following afternoon.

The matter will return to court on March 14.

Originally published as Richard Pistrin ‘too unwell’ to front court over Geelong hotel murder