Bourke Street killer’s trial to be delayed

Six people were killed during the daylight rampage.

The man charged with mowing down and killing five people in Melbourne’s busy Bourke Street in January will not face trial until next year.

Six people were killed and dozens injured when Dimitrious Gargasoulas allegedly drove his car down the thoroughfare and mounted the curb in the middle of the day, causing chaos in the packed city street.

Director of Public Prosecutions, John Champion SC said today, it is likely Gargasoulas will not face a committal hearing until 2018.

The 27-year-old accused is yet to be charged with the death of the sixth victim. Thirty-seven people were injured in the attack, with some still recovering in hospital.

Victorian Supreme Court Justice Lex Lasry told a hearing on the case’s progress he thought the wait time for the hearing was too long.

“It seems a very long time to me, with all due respect, for all those involved,” he said.

There has been plenty of talk about Victoria’s justice system since the attack, with critics fuming Gargasoulas had been released on bail just days before the rampage.

Do you think he ought to face trial sooner rather than later? Do we need to make changes to our bail system?

Stories that matter
Emails delivered daily
Sign up