Vic deaf accused may not be fit for trial

Three deaf people accused of murdering a deaf man may not be fit to stand trial, the Victorian Supreme Court has heard.

Georgia Fields

Three deaf people accused of murdering a deaf man may not be fit to stand trial, a court has heard. (AAP)

Three deaf people accused of fatally pushing another deaf man over a balcony in Melbourne may not be fit to stand trial.

Georgia Fields, 19, Warwick Toohey, 37 and Jake Fairest, 26, were on Wednesday committed to be tried for the murder of Robert Wright, 36, who was Toohey's flatmate and Fields' ex-boyfriend.

Lawyers for the three co-accused on Thursday told the Victorian Supreme Court they needed to be assessed for mental impairment and their fitness to stand trial.

A plea of not guilty has been entered for all three on the grounds of mental impairment.

An earlier hearing was told Fairest, of Boronia, has an IQ of 60.

Police allege the three of them pushed Mr Wright over the balcony of the Ringwood flat he shared with Toohey.

Toohey was remanded in custody until November 20.

Fields, of Ferntree Gully, and Fairest had their bail extended until that date.


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Source: AAP


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