Two Men Appear in Court Over Murder and Failed Kidnap of Elderly Sydney Man
Two men charged with the murder and bungled kidnapping of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian have faced court proceedings, with a defence lawyer notably stating his client was 'no mastermind' in the alleged criminal plot. Daniel Stevens, aged 24, and Gerard Andrews, aged 29, were arrested during early morning police raids on Wednesday at their respective homes in Kenthurst and Castle Hill, located in Sydney's north-west region.
The arrests followed the grim discovery of Mr Baghsarian's remains near a local golf course the previous day, prompting a swift investigation by authorities. Both defendants appeared separately before Blacktown Local Court on Thursday morning, where details of their arrests and initial court appearances emerged.
Gerard Andrews' Court Appearance
Gerard Andrews appeared first via video link from custody, notably wearing the same tatty Gucci t-shirt he had on during his arrest. His apprehension by police was described as humiliating, with reports indicating his jeans were around his ankles at the time. In court, Andrews hung his head and spoke only one word when Magistrate Bree Chisholm asked if he could see her on screen, replying 'Yes'.
His lawyer, Paul McGirr, did not apply for bail. Outside the courtroom, McGirr, a former police officer, addressed reporters, acknowledging the horrific nature of the case while emphasising his professional duty. 'It's a horrific set of facts that I've read in my experience as a police officer and defence lawyer,' he stated. 'I just have to remind myself that I have a job to do under these circumstances.'
McGirr further commented on the sensitivity of the matter for the victim's family but clarified his client's role, saying, 'Certainly from what I can gather, my client was no mastermind in respect to his involvement in this particular matter.' He indicated they would await the brief of evidence before proceeding further.
Daniel Stevens' Court Appearance
Daniel Stevens then appeared before the court with his lawyer, Javid Faiz, who informed the magistrate that his client was suffering from shingles. Faiz explained, 'Mr Stevens requires some medication - he has shingles and since he has been in custody it's affecting him and there's a particular medication.'
Stevens himself added, 'It's just an antiviral, the shingles is not contagious anymore, it's just that I haven't showered,' before requesting a generic brand of the medication. His lawyer sought a health assessment for Stevens, which was granted by the magistrate.
Outside court, Faiz told reporters that Stevens understood the 'nature and gravity of the allegations' against him and was taking the matter seriously. 'He is procedurally aware that this matter is going to take some time,' Faiz said. He described the incident as tragic and acknowledged its impact on the community but declined further comment as the matters are before the court.
Background and Legal Proceedings
Chris Baghsarian was abducted from his home in North Ryde before being killed, with both Stevens and Andrews charged in connection to his murder and kidnap. The case has drawn significant attention due to the victim's age and the violent nature of the alleged crimes.
Both men were denied bail during the court session, and their matters have been adjourned to April 17 at Penrith Local Court for further proceedings. The legal process is expected to continue as evidence is gathered and reviewed, with defence lawyers preparing their cases while acknowledging the severity of the allegations.
