Bourke Street killer blames government for murderous rampage

Bourke Street killer James Gargasoulas pointed blame at the government during a hearing in Melbourne, claiming it was government oppression that led him on the deadly rampage in Melbourne two years ago.

The 29-year-old reportedly took to the stand at the Supreme Court on Thursday to read a letter expressing the regret he feels at killing six people in the city centre in January of 2017.

According to The Age, Gargasoulas addressed heartbroken family members of his victims on the third day of his pre-sentence hearing, in which he apologised for taking the lives of their loved ones.

In the letter obtained by the publication, Gargasoulas said he was “deeply ashamed” by his actions and wished he could turn back time. However, the killer didn’t take full responsibility for his actions, claiming he is a victim of “government oppression”.

“It is because of government oppression six people died and many were injured,” The Age reported he said in court.

“I am not evil. I am not a terrorist. I am a freedom fighter who is now educated to stop oppression.”

According to the publication, Gargasoulas went on to say during a cross-examination that he had had a premonition from God that he was the “Messiah” and would run down pedestrians in a car. The Age also reported the court heard Gargasoulas’ defence counsel claimed his client’s paranoid schizophrenia played a part in his rampage.

The handwritten note was later shared on Twitter by ABC journalist Karen Percy. Meanwhile, 9 News Court Reporter Eliza Rugg also shared a statement from Gargasoulas’ father on Twitter.

Murderer James Gargasoulas read from a handwritten letter; “I am deeply ashamed of what I’ve done. I must say it is a tragic day for all of you and myself.” Blames “government oppression” and God for the deaths of 6 people on Jan 20, 2017 on Bourke St. pic.twitter.com/2dUazTBlrt

— Karen Percy (@PercyKaren) January 31, 2019

“I’m very sorry for what my son has done…and all the pain he has caused. It has brought much shame on my family,” the statement read.

In November last year, Gargasoulas was found guilty of all charges relating to the attack with the jury taking less than an hour to reach a verdict.

Statement from the father of James Gargasoulas: “I’m very sorry for what my son has done…and all the pain he has caused. It has brought much shame on my family.” The killer will be soon be allowed to read out his own letter. Two people have left the courtroom. @9NewsMelb

— Eliza Rugg (@Eliza_Rugg9) January 31, 2019

Read more: Bourke Street driver found guilty of murder

During the rampage on January 20 in 2017, Gargasoulas killed six people and injured a further 27. At the time he pleaded not guilty to six charges of murder and 27 charges of reckless conduct endangering life, although did admit his actions caused both death and injury.

The victims of the deadly rampage included three-month-old Zachary Matthew-Bryant, 10-year-old Tahlia Hakin, Yosuke Kanno, 25, Jessica Mudie, 23-year-old Matthew Si and 33-year-old Bhavita Patel.

The verdict was welcomed by the families of the victims.

“Today, the jury formally recognised that on 20 January, 2017, James Gargasoulas murdered six innocent people and recklessly endangered the lives of 27 others,” Adviceline Injury Lawyers Senior Associate Genna Angelowitsch, who represents the families of five victims, said in a statement obtained by 9 news. “His callous actions on that day shattered the lives of the family and friends whose loved ones he stole.

JAMES GARGASOULAS will be sentenced in the next few weeks. The judge says he wants to read over the victim impact statements and go over all the material before making his decision. @7NewsMelbourne pic.twitter.com/FAVDzKuVrp

— Sharnelle Vella (@SharnelleVella) January 31, 2019

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