Man charged with murder of Chris Baghsarian in Sydney likely ‘no mastermind’, lawyer says | New South Wales

Two men accused of kidnapping and murdering 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian have failed to apply for bail, with the lawyer acting on behalf of one of the men saying his client is “no brains”.

In a statement made by the police, it was stated that 24-year-old Daniel Stevens and 29-year-old Gerard Andrews were charged on Wednesday evening with murder and joint detention or detention for ransom causing actual bodily harm.

They appeared at Blacktown local court via video link on Thursday morning. Neither applied for bail and both cases were adjourned until April 17.

Andrews’ lawyer, Paul McGirr, told reporters outside court that his client did not plan the kidnapping and murder of the grandfather and his widow.

“Of course, my understanding is that my client was not an adept person in his involvement in this particular matter, but we will wait for a briefing and go from there,” McGirr told reporters.

“Of course, I do not lose sight of the sensitive nature of this particular matter concerning the victim’s family, but… I have a job to do, and at this particular moment in time, after reading the memorandum, it is very difficult for me to do that job.

“The investigation is still ongoing and I will wait for a short piece of evidence in this regard, which we will obtain within eight weeks, and then move on from there.”

The men, previously known to police for “trivial matters”, were arrested on Wednesday at addresses in Kenthurst and Castle Hill respectively, with police saying they were living in their family homes.

A further search warrant was executed at a property in Lake Macquarie where one of the alleged kidnappers is believed to have traveled after the alleged crime.

In a statement on Wednesday, police said that their search for “other people involved” in the allegations of Baghsarian’s abduction and murder continues and that “our work is not over.”

Speaking to the media on Wednesday afternoon, Detective Constable Andrew Marks said he believed the men, along with others, were part of a “joint criminal organization” to kidnap Baghsarian, and reiterated that the 85-year-old was kidnapped through mistaken identity.

“I suspect the intended target will be kidnapped to demand a ransom,” he said, confirming media reports that the requested figure was $50 million. “We know others were involved.”

Stevens’ lawyer, Javid Faiz, requested that his client receive medication and medical attention for shingles, which he became infected with and continues to bother him.

“This situation has been affecting him since he was taken into custody,” Faiz said in court Thursday morning. “He should have taken [the medication].”

Stevens told the court he was no longer contagious, he just hadn’t “showered” in 24 hours.

“It’s just an antiviral,” he said via video link of the drug. “I don’t know the exact name, but it’s a generic version.”

Speaking to the media outside court on Thursday morning, Faiz said Baghsarian’s death was a “tragic event” but did not comment further while the case was in court.

“I spoke [Stevens]”He understands the seriousness of the situation and takes it seriously,” he said.

The pair’s arrest comes 12 days after Baghsarian disappeared from his North Ryde home and a day after police found the man’s body near a golf club in Pitt Town, about 45km northwest of the Sydney CBD.