Cassandra Morgan, AAP
A man who allegedly drove into pedestrians and cars in central Melbourne, killing a philanthropist, has been committed to stand trial.
Zain Khan fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday. When asked how he pleaded to nine charges, he answered: “I don’t know … not guilty”.
Prosecutors and his lawyer Julia Munster argued against media being allowed access to the brief of evidence.
After considering the circumstances of the case, Magistrate Marita Altman said the brief contained witness accounts that were yet to be tested.
Khan’s defence team wanted him fast tracked to the Supreme Court without a formal committal hearing during which allegations are usually aired.
“The public has as much interest in an individual’s right to a fair trial as it does in understanding and being privy to the workings of a court,” Ms Altman said.
Media lawyers unsuccessfully argued further details should be released because the case was a matter of public interest and safety.
Khan was charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder after a car was driven into pedestrians and other vehicles in Bourke Street on September 8, 2023.
A 76-year-old Brunswick man, identified in media reports as philanthropist John Haasz, was killed and five other people were injured in the alleged rampage.
Khan’s mental health and fitness to plead would be an relevant to the case, with those managing his care aware of his issues, Ms Munster said.
Khan, from Melton West, earlier complained in court about his “disgusting” conditions in prison and his lack of clean clothes, repeatedly interrupting the magistrate and asking to return to hospital.
Melbourne’s CBD was crawling with police officers and business owners were concerned about customers avoiding the city after the September incident, which was the city’s fourth car rampage in six years.
Six people died and 27 were injured when James Gargasoulas ploughed into them after driving into Bourke Street Mall in January 2017.
In December the same year, a driver rammed pedestrians crossing on the corner of Flinders and Elizabeth streets, killing an elderly man and injuring 17 others.
In November 2018, Hassan Khalif Shire Ali parked his ute on Bourke Street and set it alight before stabbing three people, killing Melbourne cafe owner Sisto Malaspina in a terror attack.
Ms Altman formally committed Khan to trial.
He is due to appear in the Supreme Court of Victoria for a directions hearing on February 2.
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