Families of victims from Melbourne's Bourke Street rampage hope an inquest into the six deaths will prevent a similar tragedy in the future.
State Coroner Sara Hinchey on Thursday adjourned an inquest into the deaths until criminal proceedings against accused attacker Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, are finalised.
The families of three-month-old Zachary Bryant and Sydney woman Jess Mudie, 22, who were killed, said they are grateful a thorough inquest will occur.
"Both families hope that the inquest will prevent anything similar ever happening again," their lawyer Naty Guerrero-Diaz told reporters outside court.
The inquest was told the police handling of Gargasoulas before and during the deadly Melbourne CBD attack will come under scrutiny at future hearings.
He was granted bail a week before the January 20 rampage when his car allegedly ploughed through the crowded lunchtime shopping strip.
Police had been trying to find and apprehend Gargasoulos that morning following an incident in the early hours at Windsor.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Mandy Fox QC said the inquest would examine the police response to information it had about Gargasoulous both before and on the day of the rampage.
Police communications, pursuit guidelines and whether officers were appropriately applied would be considered.
The inquest will also look at the circumstances in which he was freed by a bail justice six days earlier.
Ms Fox recounted Gargasoulas's alleged actions including mounting the footpath with his red Holden Commodore and mowing down pedestrians who scrambled to get out of the way.
Japanese student Yosuke Kanno, 25, was the first to die, Ms Fox said.
His name joins those of baby Zachary, Ms Mudie, 10-year-old schoolgirl Thalia Hakin, father Matthew Si, 33, and financial consultant Bhavita Patel, 33, who died as a result of the attack.
In total, 27 people were injured and 25 hospitalised, with many still being treated for injuries.
Ms Fox said Gargasoulas's car slowed almost to a stop only when a fuel line failure is believed to have caused his engine to fail.
Police approached and fired two shots while he was still in the car. Tasers were also used.
"As a result, Mr Gargasoulas was injured and immediately taken into custody," Ms Fox said.
"He was treated in hospital for a gunshot wound to his arm."
Ms Fox said there was intense public interest in having all matters investigated in an open, fair, complete and timely way.
But it was also in the public interest to ensure the justice process was not compromised and she asked the coroner to defer the inquest until the criminal matters are finalised.
"It is not possible to proceed with the inquest ... without creating an unacceptable risk of compromising the criminal proceedings and the rights of the accused to a fair trial," she said.
Gargasoulas is charged with six counts of murder and 27 counts of attempted murder.
His case will next be mentioned in court in August.
Share
