Mert Ney: Sydney CBD stabber pleads guilty to murder


The man who killed a young woman before going on a knife-wielding rampage through Sydney’s CBDS has admitted his guilt.

Mert Ney, 22, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to murder at Central Local Court over the stabbing of Michaela Dunn, 24, and wounding Lin Bo with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on August 13, 2019.

He also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of common assault against his sister and cannabis possession.

Camera IconMert Ney was detained by members of the public. Credit: Channel 7, Seven News
A milk crate was used to subdue Mert Ney.
Camera IconA milk crate was used to subdue Mert Ney. Credit: Supplied, Seven News

Ney, from Marayong, was subdued in a citizen’s arrest by terrified civilians who had chased the armed-murderer down a city street before pinning him to the ground with a milk crate and chair.

He was earlier caught on camera yelling and brandishing the knife as he ran through the city, and at one point jumped onto a car stopped at an intersection near Wynyard station.

Outside court Ney’s lawyer Zemarai Khatiz said his client was remorseful for the attacks that brought Sydney to a standstill.

“He’s pleaded guilty today,” Mr Khatiz said. “He is very sorry for what he has done.”

Mr Khatiz said it would be argued on sentencing that his client’s mental health was a “significant contributing factor” to the attacks.

Michaela Dunn was stabbed by Ney inside an apartment in the Sydney CBD
Camera IconMichaela Dunn was stabbed by Ney inside an apartment in the Sydney CBD Credit: Supplied

Appearing in court via video link, Ney responded “guilty” to the counts of murder, wounding and assault as they were read out on Tuesday.

“Yeah guilty, yeah it was mine,” he replied when asked for a plea to possessing 1.6g of cannabis.

On entering pleas prosecutors withdrew six additional charges, including attempted murder, wounding with intent to murder, being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, and possessing child abuse material.

Ms Dunn’s mother Joanne was in court to hear her daughter’s killer finally admit to the gruesome murder in the week that would have brought her 26th birthday.

Mert Ney running through Sydney last August.
Camera IconMert Ney running through Sydney last August. Credit: Channel 7, Seven News

Joanne declined to comment as she left the court flanked by reporters.

Her daughter was found dead inside an apartment on Clarence St in the CBD, having sustained a laceration to her neck.

Ms Bo was stabbed in the back by Ney at a nearby hotel soon after.

Ney’s pleas came after months of negotiations between his lawyers and prosecutors.

His lawyers had asked for a lengthy adjournment to pore over 1500 pages of mental health reports in September, and told the court they were exploring mental health as a possible defence.

Ney will next appear in the Supreme Court on December 11.



Source link

Lawyer for Mert Ney seeks adjournment over alleged CBD stabbing murder of Michaela Dunn


A Sydney court has been told 1,500 pages of mental health and medical reports have been produced about a man accused of fatally stabbing a woman in the CBD last year.

Mert Ney, 21, was arrested last August and charged with murdering 24-year-old Michaela Dunn and seriously wounding 41-year-old Lin Bo.

This morning his lawyer sought a 12-week adjournment in Sydney’s Central Local Court, citing the need to explore Mr Ney’s fitness to plead and “potential defences that might be available”.

The court heard about 1,500 pages of material had already been produced from Justice Health and other organisations, but November was the earliest availability for a psychiatrist to compile a report.

The prosecutor opposed the adjournment on the grounds of “undue” and “unacceptable” delay, saying it had been over a year since the alleged offence and more than five months since Mr Ney’s defence first raised the prospect of mental health reports.

Magistrate Robert Williams noted the Criminal Procedure Act gave the court the power to commit matters if there had been “unreasonable delay”.

“I propose to list this matter next Tuesday and to hear arguments from the parties why this matter should not be committed,” he said.

A young blonde woman smiling
Michaela Dunn was stabbed to death last August.(NSW Police)

Last year, the court heard police were accessing Mr Ney’s phone as part of their inquiries.

His charges include murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault, choking and drug possession.

During the incident, Mr Ney was seen climbing cars in the middle of the CBD before he was restrained by members of the public.

The incident caused emergency responders to lock down the city.

Police alleged Mr Ney visited Ms Dunn prior to his alleged attack for a sex work appointment.

The court previously heard he required medication for pain and mental illness and experienced problems in custody including insomnia.

The case will return to court on September 15.



Source link