The man accused of murdering a 24-year-old woman in a Sydney unit before stabbing another victim in the CBD will defend the charges on the grounds of his mental health.
Mert Ney, 20, was on Friday night 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 inside her inner-city apartment on Tuesday before allegedly stabbing Linda Bo, 41, in the shoulder at the Hotel CBD.
The alleged attacker was later filmed 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, bail was not applied for and was formally refused.
Police keep watch following the stabbing incident in Sydney's CBD. Source: AAP
Outside court, the man’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 ... and it will be a matter for trial at a later date."
Earlier, Mr Khatiz asked the court to make a recommendation for his client to be seen by Justice Health urgently.
"He hasn't been given his pain medication, he's asked for it six times now so that is why we asked the court to make an order," he told reporters.
The court heard the accused had undergone surgery for a "severe" leg injury while in hospital.
Mr Khatiz said his client had also told him he had not been given medication for his mental illness.
The magistrate recommended the 20-year-old be seen "urgently" by Justice Health to "attend to any required medication for pain relief and also in relation to his mental illness".
The accused attacker, dressed in green prison attire, appeared subdued as he listened to the court discuss his matter.
Investigators have been trying to piece together why the young man, who had a history of mental illness, allegedly launched the attack.
A crime scene was established near Wynyard station after good samaritans restrained the man accused of carrying out the stabbing attack. Source: AAP
The accused was allegedly carrying a USB stick with information about recent mass casualties in New Zealand and the United States.
NSW Police have not classed the attack as a terrorist incident and have not identified any links to terrorist organisations.
Ney will next face Central Local Court on Monday, 19 August as police make an application to carry out a forensic procedure on him.
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