‘Flimsy’: judge questions shooting charge

0

A Supreme Court judge has slammed a “flimsy” case against a man accused of shooting his wife and severing her spine as she slept.

Kamal Eljamal, 33, is accused of firing multiple shots through the ceiling of his garage as his wife Georgina Vlahos, 37, was sleeping in her bedroom directly above him on January 12.

Police allege he was trying to murder his wife when he fired the illegal pistol into her bed several times but he has not been charged with attempted murder.

The 33-year-old is charged with five offences, including discharging a firearm intending to cause grievous bodily harm, using an unauthorised pistol, and possessing an prohibited firearm.

According to police, one of the bullets travelled through the roof of the garage in Sydney’s Condell Park and through the woman’s mattress before it struck her.

Kamal Eljamal is charged shooting his wife while she was sleeping.
Camera IconKamal Eljamal is charged shooting his wife while she was sleeping. Credit: News Corp Australia
He allegedly fired a number of shots into her bed from the garage below.
Camera IconHe allegedly fired a number of shots into her bed from the garage below. Credit: News Corp Australia

The bullet severed Ms Vlahos’ spinal cord and caused significant damage to her liver and spleen. She will require specialised care for the rest of her life and might never walk again.

On Wednesday, her husband appeared in the Supreme Court via audiovisual link to ask to be released on conditional bail.

Justice Peter Hamill cast doubt over whether Mr Eljamal had the “specific intent” to murder his wife when he allegedly shot her while she was asleep.

He noted the 33-year-old’s “main concern” appeared to be his wife’s wellbeing after the shooting.

“His response to that was to run upstairs, get in the car and drive her to hospital … at the risk of being arrested,” he said.

“I was bewildered when I saw ‘with intent (to murder)’ on the charge.”

The Supreme Court judge slammed the man’s “ridiculous” alleged decision to shoot into the ceiling but said it appeared “there is no animosity between (Mr Eljamal) and his wife”.

Crown prosecutor Stephen Makin conceded intent would be hard to prove but maintained the 33-year-old was “a danger to the community” for acquiring a handgun and discharging it “under incredibly reckless circumstances”.

“It was not a peashooter or a gel blaster,” he told the court.

Supplied Editorial Georgina Vlahos, 37, will need specialised medical care for the rest
 of her life after almost dying when her spinal cord, liver and spleen were
 severed after being shot by her then boyfriend, Kamal Eljamal, at her Condell
 Park home on January 12, 2022. Picture: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ginanvlahos
Camera IconGeorgina Vlahos previously told a court she wanted her husband to be released to care for her. Facebook Credit: Supplied

The court heard Mr Eljamal was on parole for drug charges when he allegedly discharged the illegal weapon and injured his wife.

He was taken into custody for breaching the conditions of his parole, which specify not possessing an illegal weapon.

His parole will expire on August 2, although the court heard he will make an application for release before that date.

The court heard the 33-year-old has battled depression, anxiety and substance abuse issues in the past.

Justice Hamill granted him conditional bail under the condition he travelled directly to a residential rehabilitation facility near Port Stephens in northern NSW.

He said the prosecution case was “speculative or flimsy” in relation to the intent to murder in the charge, but noted the weapons charges were “very serious.”

“It suggests associations with criminals who may have access to such weapons,” he said.

Supplied Editorial Georgina Vlahos, 37, will need specialised medical care for the rest
 of her life after almost dying when her spinal cord, liver and spleen were
 severed after being shot by her then boyfriend, Kamal Eljamal, at her Condell
 Park home on January 12, 2022. Picture: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ginanvlahos
Camera IconThe 37-year-old is unlikely to walk again after suffering grievous injuries. Facebook Credit: Supplied

Mr Eljamal will not be released from prison until he is granted parole by the State Parole Authority.

Once he’s given the green light, the court heard he will be taken directly to the Swan Bay facility and entered into the strict program.

Under the strict bail conditions, someone close to Mr Eljamal must agree to release $1m to ensure he will appear in court.

His family cried in court as they waved to the 33-year-old and blew kisses at him.

The decision comes after Ms Vlahos previously begged a court to grant her husband bail so he could return home to care for her.

“There are things only his comfort can help me to progress further,” she said in a statement read to the court.

The injured woman had been rushed to Bankstown Hospital with serious gunshot wounds in a white Mercedes about 1pm on January 12.

Surveillance footage released by police shows a man wearing a black hooded jumper, shorts and exercise tights leaping out of the driver’s seat to call out to the paramedics for assistance.

He is seen tending to the injured woman before the medical professionals take over.

The CCTV footage shows the man subsequently abandoning the car and fleeing the scene on foot.

Paramedics assisted Ms Vlahos as her alleged attacker fled the scene. NSW Police
Camera IconParamedics assisted Ms Vlahos as her alleged attacker fled the scene. NSW Police Credit: Supplied

A court previously heard Mr Eljamal was accused of trying to “get rid” of the evidence after he allegedly shot his partner.

He was the subject of a weeks-long manhunt which ended when he was arrested on February 10 while hiding on a garage roof in Picnic Point.

Mr Eljamal has also been charged with possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority and not keep firearm safely-prohibited firearm.

He will return to court on June 21.

Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our  Twitter, & Facebook

We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.

For all the latest Lifestyle News Click Here 

Read original article here

Denial of responsibility! Rapidtelecast.com is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
Leave a comment