The man accused of murdering a sex worker in a Sydney unit before stabbing another woman in the CBD will defend the charges on the grounds of his mental health.
Mert Ney, 20, was on late Aug. 16 charged with murder, attempted murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, intentionally choking with recklessness and common assault.
Police allege he killed Michaela Dunn, 24, in a Clarence Street apartment on Tuesday, Aug. 13, before allegedly stabbing Linda Bo, 41, in the shoulder at the Hotel CBD.
The 20-year-old was later filmed allegedly running through the city streets brandishing a bloodied kitchen knife before being restrained by onlookers and arrested.
Ney appeared before Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, Aug. 17, bail was not applied for and was formally refused.
Outside court Ney’s lawyer Zemarai Khatiz revealed his client intended to defend the charges.
“He’s going through a very difficult situation at this time,” he told reporters.
“But in relation to the allegations he will be defending the charges on the grounds of mental illness.”
Investigators have been trying to piece together why Ney, who had a history of mental illness, launched the alleged attack.
Ney was allegedly carrying a USB stick with information about recent mass casualties in New Zealand and the United States and could be heard on video footage shouting “Allahu akbar.”
NSW Police have not classed the attack as a terrorist incident and have not identified any links to terrorist organisations.
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