A Chinese man told police he wanted the death penalty after being charged with murdering his 11-week-old granddaughter in a stabbing attack in her Brisbane home.
Yonghou Cao told his lawyer he didn't know baby Qianqian "Queenie" Xu was dead until he was charged with her murder at a hospital bedside hearing on Friday, two days after she died following the stabbing spree in the southern suburb of Parkinson.
Cao was also charged with the attempted murder of his wife and daughter, Queenie's mother, Yuanyuan Cao.
Police Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Mark Gorton said the man appeared to benefit from hearing his wife and daughter were both in hospital, conscious and expected to survive their injuries.
"He was still distraught but that did seem to console him somewhat," he said.
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"He did say before the hearing, as we were explaining what was going to be happening, that he didn't want to go to jail today, he just wanted the death penalty today."
The 52-year-old was remanded in custody and is not expected to appear at a committal mention at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 8.
He has been under police guard at Princess Alexandra Hospital since Wednesday's attack, having also suffered injuries.
Meanwhile, Ms Cao's husband Tenglong Xu said the grieving parents were struggling to come to terms with their immense loss.
"We would like to ask members of the community and the media to please respect our privacy and the dignity of our family at this time," Mr Xu, who was at work when the horrific stabbing unfolded, said in a statement on Friday.
It's understood Queenie's grandparents came out to Australia in early December to help look after their grandchild.
The tragic loss of life has prompted a Brisbane pastor to plan a support group for other Chinese grandparents doing the same.
Robert Chua heads the New Hope Community Church at Calamvale and says some grandparents feel cut off from local culture when they come to Australia.
He said Queenie's grandfather attended a church service last Sunday and appeared an attentive, caring grandparent.
"He was carrying the little baby and smiling and walking around," he said, less than a week later, at a candlelight vigil for the late infant.
"He was very normal, very loving."
