National

Murder accused faces Melbourne court over man's death

By AAP Newswire

Mar 9, 2023

Shaun Sanderson (centre) during his arrest (file image) — Shaun Sanderson (centre) was arrested of a death and assault in the Melbourne suburb of Reservoir. -AAP Image

An accused murderer has had to be coaxed to appear in a Melbourne court because he was concerned about extensive media attention.

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Shaun Sanderson, 32, has been charged with the murder of a 29-year-old man and attempted murder of a 65-year-old woman in Reservoir.

Police allege he killed the man and injured the woman at the Willoughby Street property just after 8am on Wednesday.

Sanderson was later arrested at a busy intersection near the Preston Market after an hours-long manhunt.

He initially refused to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, with his lawyer Jonathan Brancato telling the court Sanderson was concerned about the attention the incident had garnered.

It was only after the magistrate reassured the murder suspect there were no family members present in the courtroom that he appeared in custody.

Sanderson remained quiet as Mr Brancato told the court his client was withdrawing from drugs and possibly had symptoms of psychosis and schizophrenia.

The prosecutor asked for a six-week extension for the brief of evidence because of expected delays with forensics.

Sanderson was remanded in custody ahead of a committal case conference hearing in July.