Christopher Baghsarian was allegedly murdered within 48 hours after he was kidnapped from his North Ryde, Sydney home on February 13. Photo / NSW Police
Christopher Baghsarian was allegedly murdered within 48 hours after he was kidnapped from his North Ryde, Sydney home on February 13. Photo / NSW Police
A lawyer representing one of the men accused of killing grandfather Christopher Baghsarian says he is struggling to do his job after reading what he described as the “horrific” police allegations in the case.
Baghsarian was allegedly murdered within 48 hours after he was kidnapped from his North Ryde homeon February 13, court documents have revealed.
Police were quick to say they believed the 85-year-old was not the intended target of the alleged kidnapping, issuing several pleas for Baghsarian’s freedom before his body was found near a golf club in Pitt Town in the city’s northwest 11 days after he was allegedly snatched.
Gerard Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, were both charged with murder and take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm late on Wednesday evening.
It is alleged the pair kidnapped Baghsarian to hold him for ransom, according to documents tendered to the court and seen by NewsWire.
He and Stevens both dialled into court today and will remain behind bars on remand as neither of them applied for bail.
“Of course it’s not lost on me, the sensitive nature of this particular matter for the victim’s family, but as I said, I have a job to do, and it’s very hard in this particular moment in time for me to do that job having read the fact sheet.
“But I won’t be commenting on the fact sheet in any way. The investigation is still ongoing, and in that particular respect I will wait for a brief of evidence, which we should get within eight weeks, and I’ll go from there. But that’s all I can say.”
Stevens told the court he had not been able to shower yet as he asked for medical attention to treat shingles.
“It’s just an antiviral, I don’t know the exact name but it’s the generic version,” he said.
“The shingles isn’t contagious anymore … I haven’t showered.”
Both men remain in custody, with the case adjourned to April 17. Photo / NSW Police
Stevens’ lawyer Javid Faiz called the case a “tragic incident” while speaking to reporters outside court.
“There’s no doubt that this would have had an effect on the community,” Faiz said.
“I have spoken to him and he understands the seriousness of the matter, he understands the nature, the gravity of the allegations and he’s taking the matter seriously.”
Both matters were adjourned to April 17, with the magistrate acknowledging Stevens’ need for medication.
Tributes have been placed outside Baghsarian’s home, with one person writing how the 85-year-old reminds them of their father.
“What a cruel world we live in … I’m sorry we let you down,” the tribute read.
Baghsarian is believed to have died at a semi-rural Dural property, with his remains found discarded near Lynwood Golf Club in Pitt Town.
Police found Andrews and Stevens by following a “trail” that included CCTV, vehicles, and a partially burned-out car found last week.
During his arrest, Andrews found it difficult to walk as he stumbled over his jeans, which pooled around his feet, while officers dragged him to a police car.
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