Dimitrious “Jimmy” Gargasoulas has been charged with the murders of five people after he allegedly drove his car into crowds of people in the centre of Melbourne.
Gargasoulas, 26, of Windsor, referred to in the court documents as James, was not in Melbourne magistrates court on Monday afternoon as he was unwell, his lawyer said. Police said other charges were pending.
Gargasoulas is alleged to have driven a car on to the footpath and through crowds in Bourke Street, one of the busiest streets in Melbourne, on Friday.
He had spent three nights in hospital after having surgery for a bullet wound to his arm sustained in the course of his arrest by police at the scene. Doctors gave police permission to interview him on Monday. His lawyer did not apply for bail.
The prosecutor requested nine months to pull the police brief together, saying it was a “complicated matter”.
The magistrate set down a special mention date of 1 August, with a full mention not scheduled until 15 December, eight weeks after the full police brief is due. He is only required to appear via video link on both those dates.
Three of those killed in Bourke Street have been named as 33-year-old Matthew Si, 22-year-old Jess Mudie and 10-year-old Thalia Hakin. A three-month-old baby and a 25-year-old Japanese student also died.
Fifteen remain in hospital, including Thalia’s mother and sister, with two in a critical condition.
The court redacted the names of the victims on the charge sheet.
Neither family and friends of the more than 30 victims, nor Gargasoulas’s family, were in court on Monday.
