A court artist's impression of Darren Walsh. PICTURE: THE COURIER
A HOMELESS man allegedly stabbed a Ballarat fisherman in the chest before telling police to shoot him, a court has heard.
Darren Walsh, 47, appeared for a committal hearing at the Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday, having been remanded in custody since the alleged stabbing on February 18.
He is charged with attempted murder, intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing serious injury, making threats to kill, unlawful assault and resisting police.
A number of police and civilian witnesses gave evidence yesterday, telling the court Walsh approached three men who were returning from fishing at Lake Esmond at 7pm.
The court heard Walsh abused the trio then stabbed one of the men, Edward Dean, in the chest with a 40cm knife near Clayton Street and Main Road.
Andrew Butterworth, who was fishing with Mr Dean, told the court that Walsh was ranting, raving and being incoherent before the alleged attack.
When asked by defence barrister Tom Ashton what exactly the accused was saying, Mr Butterworth said he wasn’t sure.
“He was threatening to kill us, I know that.”
Mr Butterworth told the court that Walsh produced a fold-out knife, ran up to Mr Dean and stabbed him in the chest.
Asked by Mr Ashton whether or not Walsh seemed intoxicated, Mr Butterworth was effusive in his answer.
“I assumed he was pissed ... (but) he couldn’t have been too drunk. He could still walk and stab.”
Police witness Detective Senior Constable Nathan Vercoe said he was first on the scene and attempted to engage Walsh in conversation, to stop him leaving the scene.
He said once back-up arrived, three canisters of OC foam were used on Walsh by various officers, before he was tackled to the ground.
The court heard that two officers had their guns drawn, with Walsh “egging them on”, asking them to shoot him.
Detective Senior Constable Vercoe also said Walsh yelled “I will kill them all” before his arrest.
Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Kinna also gave evidence, telling the court that Walsh was unhappy with his initial major charge of intentionally causing serious injury.
He said Walsh told police he “wanted” the charge upgraded to attempted murder.
Magistrate Peter Couzens said police were “to be commended” for their actions in difficult circumstances on the day.
The committal hearing before Mr Couzens continues today.
