Teacher Claims Mental Illness in Alleged School Principal Stabbing Case
A teacher charged with the alleged stabbing of his school principal has informed a court that he is too mentally unwell to stand trial. Kim Ramchen, aged 37 and residing in Mulgrave, stands accused of attacking Keysborough Secondary School principal Aaron Sykes last December following the non-renewal of his teaching contract.
Mental Health Defence Presented in Court
During proceedings at Dandenong Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Ramchen's legal representative, Ruth Parker, argued that her client may be unfit to plead due to a complex combination of mental health conditions. The defence is also exploring a potential mental impairment defence based on detailed psychological assessments.
A comprehensive psychologist's report has diagnosed Ramchen with autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenic spectrum disorder characterized by fluctuating psychotic symptoms, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The report further noted that Ramchen's family provided crucial medical history, describing a man with unusual behavioral presentations.
Despite these findings, forensic psychiatrists have not taken action regarding Ramchen's behavior while in custody. Forensicare, Victoria's primary mental health service, rejected an inpatient assessment order, informing defence lawyers via email that Ramchen "does not meet the criteria" for such evaluation.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Denial
The defence team is now seeking opinions from private medical practitioners to advance the case. Ms. Parker expressed reluctance to accept legal instructions from Ramchen without a doctor confirming his mental capacity to provide them properly. Such assessments could require up to six weeks to complete.
"We're doing everything we can as quickly as we can, but it is what it is," Ms. Parker stated during the hearing. Ramchen previously failed in his bail application last December when Magistrate Andrew Waters criticized the absence of psychological evidence and deemed him an "extreme" risk of re-offending.
Alleged Attack Details Revealed
Police allege that Ramchen confessed to "snapping" after learning his teaching contract would not be renewed. "I've never been so angry in my life," Ramchen reportedly told officers. According to police statements, Ramchen described his actions as "incredibly violent" and admitted being unable to control his emotions.
The court heard detailed accounts of the alleged incident, which began when Ramchen left his classroom at 3pm and proceeded to the school kitchen. There, he allegedly selected a small kitchen knife approximately four inches in length before making his way to the principal's office.
Mr. Sykes reportedly suffered a slash wound to his face and a stab wound to his forearm during the initial confrontation. Police allege Ramchen then held a knife to his principal's throat before assistant principal Matt Sloan intervened upon hearing screams.
Second Attack and School Lockdown
After Mr. Sloan managed to pull Ramchen away and force him to drop the first knife, the teacher allegedly returned to the kitchen and obtained a second, much larger kitchen knife measuring approximately twelve inches in length. Fearing for student safety, Mr. Sloan initiated an immediate school lockdown.
Ramchen allegedly re-entered Mr. Sykes's office armed with the larger knife and launched another attack, holding the weapon close to the principal's face. Mr. Sloan and other staff members tackled Ramchen a second time, eventually wrestling the knife away and causing injuries to Ramchen's hand in the process.
The weapon was thrown from the office, and Ramchen was restrained on the ground until police arrived at the scene. According to police statements, Ramchen admitted wanting to "completely incapacitate the principal" during questioning about his motives.
Family Background and Charges
Ramchen had hoped to return to his Mulgrave home on bail under the supervision of his brother, Lev Ramchen, aged 42. Lev had acted as his brother's guardian following the mysterious disappearance of their mother when they were teenagers.
Their mother was former The Price is Right host Jacqueline Ramchen, who vanished after dropping her three children at school on April 10, 1992. Their father, Slavik Ramchen, was later charged with her murder but was acquitted in 2002 when a magistrate found there was a possibility she might still be alive.
Kim Ramchen faces multiple serious charges including recklessly endangering life, intentionally causing injury, two counts of unlawful assault, and assault with a weapon. The case will return to court in April for further proceedings as the mental health assessments continue.
