Bega man Murray Deakin has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of his grandmother and a former police officer in June due to what his lawyer said were “reasons of mental illness”.
Deakin, 20, faced Bega Local Court via audio visual link on Tuesday, December 11, with a shaved head, a short beard and wearing a green prison issue shirt.
Deakin uttered the word “yep” as Magistrate Doug Dick questioned him over whether he understood he will be arraigned in the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney on February 8 next year.
Deakin will stand trial accused of two counts of murder and one count of grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.
His lawyer Ben Jamieson told the court his client would be pleading not guilty to the alleged stabbing of his grandparents Gail and Thomas Winner at their Bega home, and allegedly attacking former police officer Mick Horne, 54, with a hammer during an alleged carjacking on June 1.
Both Ms Winner and Mr Horne died as a result of their injuries.
