Sydney stabbing suspect Mert Ney ‘suffering’ in custody without medication, lawyer says

The lawyer for a man accused of murdering one woman and stabbing another in the Sydney
CBD has again called for his client to receive pain and mental health medication, saying his previous requests fell on deaf ears.

Mert Ney, 20, is charged with murder, attempted murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, intentionally choking with recklessness and common assault over the 13 August incident.

Police allege he killed Michaela Dunn, 24, in a Clarence Street apartment before stabbing Linda Bo, 41, in the shoulder at the Hotel CBD.

Ney was later filmed allegedly running through the city brandishing a bloodied kitchen knife before being restrained by bystanders.

He intends to defend the charges against him on the grounds of mental illness.

Ney appeared on Monday via video link at Central local court and had his case adjourned to 15 October, with a brief of evidence to be submitted on that date. He did not apply for bail.

Ney’s lawyer, Zemarai Khatiz, said his client had not yet received appropriate medication from Justice Health after undergoing leg surgery and had only been administered paracetamol.

At Parramatta bail court on Saturday, Khatiz also requested Ney – who had repeatedly asked for medication – receive relief.

“He’s suffering in custody over there,” Khatiz said on Monday.

In response, the magistrate Robert Williams said he would again request Justice Health visit Ney and administer the appropriate medication.

Outside court, Khatiz said Ney was struggling to sleep due to his leg pain.

Meanwhile, almost $5,500 has been raised as of midday on Monday for Dunn’s funeral costs on crowdfunding site GoFundMe.