A New South Wales man accused of his mother's murder has declined assistance from a Legal Aid representative during his first court appearance.
Boutros Mouawad appeared in Wollongong Court via video link on Wednesday after being charged with his mother's death.
Emergency services were called to a Gray Street home at Woonona, in the northern suburbs of the Illawarra, at about 11pm on Monday this week following reports a 76-year-old woman had been injured.
Paramedics arrived at the home, but the woman could not be revived and died at the scene.
Two men aged 24 and 55 were taken into custody for questioning by police.
On Tuesday evening, 55-year-old Mr Mouawad was charged with murder.
During his first appearance in Wollongong Court the Mr Mouawad rested his face in his hands and covered his mouth for the duration of proceedings.
Mr Mouawad declined assistance offered by a Legal Aid representative in the court, and remained silent when questioned by Magistrate Michael Stoddart about whether he would like to apply for bail.
Two women, believed to be members of Mr Mouawad's family, watched the proceedings from the public gallery but declined to comment to media waiting out the front of the court.
Mr Mouawad has been remanded in custody and is expected to face court again on May 15.
