The man charged with five counts of murder over the deadly drive through Melbourne's CBD was on bail over charges of speeding on the wrong side of the road and ignoring a police direction to stop, according to court documents.
Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas, 26, was interviewed by homicide squad detectives on Monday and charged with five counts of murder, but refused to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court - as is his legal right - because he was unwell.
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Alleged Bourke Street killer charged with murder
Dimitrious "Jimmy"Â Gargasoulas, the man accused to have mowed down several pedestrians on Bourke Street in Melbourne's CBD is charged with five counts of murder.
"He's not well and has asked to be excused," defence counsel Megan Casey told deputy chief magistrate Jelena Popovic. Ms Popovic granted Mr Gargasoulas' request, and gave permission for him to avoid fronting court in person later this year.
Police allege Mr Gargasoulas deliberately drove at pedestrians in Bourke Street about 1.30pm on Friday, and killed five people - including a three-month-old baby boy and a 10-year-old girl - and hit another 32 people. More charges are expected to be laid.
Charge sheets released by the court on Monday reveal Mr Gargasoulas was last year charged by police with reckless conduct endangering life and failing to stop when directed by police, related to an alleged incident in St Kilda on November 19.
He also faces unrelated charges including car theft, intentionally causing injury and possessing the drug ice, related to alleged incidents that took place between January 20 last year and January 10 this year. He was on bail when he allegedly hit the pedestrians on Friday in a maroon Holden Commodore.
Ms Casey told the court on Monday that Mr Gargasoulas had undergone surgery after he was shot by police before his arrest on Friday.
The five people killed were a three-month-old baby boy, 10-year-old Thalia Hakin, Matthew Si, 33, Jess Mudie, 22, and a 25-year-old man confirmed on Monday as a Japanese national.
Prosecutor Brendan Kissane, QC, on Monday asked Ms Popovic for a much longer time to serve defence lawyers with the brief of evidence given Friday's "unprecedented events".
Mr Kissane asked that prosecutors get nine months - instead of the usual 10 weeks - to prepare the brief, but Ms Popovic refused the request, as such a wait would have meant Mr Gargasoulas would not have returned to court until early next year.
Instead, Ms Popovic remanded the accused man in custody to appear before court on December 15 - via video link - and for a special mention hearing on August 1, when the court will be given an update on the prosecution case.Police will have eight months to prepare the brief of evidence.
Ms Casey told the court Mr Gargasoulas did not want to appear in person at subsequent hearings. He is due to face the court - via video link - on the charges laid last year on March 20.
Other people who were hit on Friday remain in hospital including two who are in a critical condition in the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Police arrested Mr Gargasoulas after a police vehicle rammed the Commodore and he was shot in the arm.
Mr Gargasoulas was named as James Gargasoulas in all the charge sheets released by the court on Monday.
No members of the public were in court on Monday. But the court was still packed with police, lawyers, media and court staff.
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