A 40-year-old Griffith man, Scott Jamie Cole, faced the ACT Magistrates Court this morning charged with the murder of a 46-year-old man whose body was found at Stuart Flats in Griffith yesterday.
Cole was wearing a grey tracksuit and thongs, and had a long, straight red mark down the right side of his face – from cheekbone to chin – that had the appearance of a recent injury. Of medium height and build, he had a tightly cropped part-beard and brown hair cut in a short back and sides style. He seemed calm and smiled half-heartedly at the public gallery at one point, though he did not speak nor enter a plea.
Cole’s solicitor made representations to the court that due to mental impairment, his client should be assessed and treated in hospital rather than sent to the Alexander Maconochie Centre, but the prosecution said that given Cole was “extremely violent and dangerous” and presented an escape risk, the prison would be better equipped to deal with him.
The magistrate denied the request to send Cole to hospital but noted that he would be marked as a prisoner at risk due to concerns over mental impairment.
The police investigation into the Griffith homicide is ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information that could assist the investigation and has not yet spoken to police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000, or via https://act.crimestoppers.com.au. Please quote reference 5929108. Information can be provided anonymously.
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