Reid Ludwig’s alleged teenage killer to be assessed over fitness to stand trial

A 17-year-old boy accused of causing the death of Taroona dad Reid Ludwig will be assessed over his fitness to stand trial. FULL REPORT >>

• Boy who denies murdering Reid Ludwig will return to court in 2021 after lawyers get hands on report
• Reid Ludwig farewelled in ceremony at Eaglehawk Neck Beach

A TEENAGE boy facing a manslaughter charge after allegedly stabbing Taroona father Reid Ludwig to death will be assessed for his fitness to stand trial.

On Monday, the Supreme Court of Tasmania was told issues surrounding autism spectrum disorder and cognitive function needed to be assessed before the case could proceed.

The 17-year-old, who appeared before Justice Helen Wood via video link from the Ashley Youth Detention Centre, had previously faced a charge of murder before it was downgraded last month to manslaughter.

He has not yet entered a plea to the charge.

Defence barrister Rochelle Mainwaring said since last month’s hearing, she’d been provided with a psychiatric report raising concerns about the boy’s fitness to stand trial.

She asked Justice Wood for an adjournment so she could order the assessment.

Fatally stabbed man Reid Ludwig.

Crown prosecutor Madeleine Wilson said the ongoing delays were causing hardship to Mr Ludwig’s family.

“This will cause a lot of anguish to the family of the deceased,” she said.

“I’m not in a position to object to that, but it will be a matter of great concern to the family, who are becoming increasingly anxious about the delays to this case.”

The boy previously entered a plea of not guilty to one count of murder after he police alleged he fatally stabbed Mr Ludwig outside a Coles Express service station at Blackmans Bay during November 2019.

Mr Ludwig was returning a trailer to the store at the time when he was allegedly attacked in front of his family.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested at the scene, while Mr Ludwig died later at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

The teenager will appear again in court via video link on May 5 for a further directions hearing.

FEBRUARY 12: The murder charge against a teenage boy who allegedly stabbed Taroona father Reid Ludwig to death outside a service station has been downgraded to manslaughter.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Monday via video link before Justice Helen Wood.

Crown prosecutor Linda Mason said a new indictment was filed last week and provided to the boy’s lawyers.

The boy has not yet entered a plea to the new charge, so it is unknown whether a trial will still take place this year.

Previously, the boy had pleaded not guilty to a count of murder after he allegedly fatally stabbed Mr Ludwig outside a Coles Express service station in Blackmans Bay during November 2019.

Reid Ludwig was returning a trailer to the store at the time when he was allegedly attacked in front of his family.

The boy was arrested at the scene, while Mr Ludwig died later in the Royal Hobart Hospital.

The boy will appear in court again on March 22 for a directions hearing, via video link from the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Follow @ambervwilson