Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
National
Emily Woods

'Not guilty': accused double murderer to face trial

Ross Judd has pleaded not guilty to murdering a pregnant woman and her partner. (Anita Lester/AAP PHOTOS)

The grieving mother of a pregnant woman who was allegedly killed alongside her partner has watched on as the man accused of the double murder pleaded "not guilty".

Ross Judd, 35, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link from prison on Tuesday afternoon as he elected to send his case to the Supreme Court.

He is charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of Athena Georgopoulos, 39, and her partner Andrew Gunn, 50, found at a Mount Waverley property on August 11.

Judd was arrested later that evening, accompanied by two large dogs, at Westall Railway Station.

The homicide scene (file)
Athena Georgopoulos and Andrew Gunn were found dead at a Mount Waverley property. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Ms Georgopoulos was five months' pregnant when she died.

Her mother Petty Georgopoulos watched remotely, with a prosecutor alerting the court that family of the deceased had asked to view the hearing. 

"Your Honour can see on the link, members of family involved in this," the prosecutor said.

Magistrate Malcolm Thomas found there was evidence of a sufficient weight for a properly instructed jury to decide whether to convict Judd on the two charges.

Judd was supported by a French translator as he was asked by the magistrate how he pleaded to the charges of murder.

"I plead not guilty, thank you," Judd said.

His lawyer Angie Wong said fitness to stand trial will be an issue for her client as the matter moves to the higher court.

However, she confirmed he was not seeking a plea of not guilty by mental impairment, after the court was told in January he was being assessment by a psychiatrist for this.

Judd, who remains in custody, will face the Supreme Court in Melbourne for a directions hearing on March 18.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.