Australian murder suspect says lack of computer is unfair treatment

[Greg]

Australian murder suspect says lack of computer is unfair treatment | Herald Sun | Australia

Kate Uebergang

October 16, 2007 12:00am

A MAN accused of shooting dead a security guard in an armed robbery claims he is being treated unfairly in prison because he has been refused a computer in his cell.

Hugo Alistair Rich, 54, is charged with the murder of Erwin Kastenberger, 58, at Blackburn North shopping centre in March 2005.

Mr Rich, who is representing himself, will stand trial at the Supreme Court next March.

Mr Rich yesterday launched a civil application against four parties -- the secretary of the Department of Justice, Correctional Services Commission, the prison services director, Corrections Victoria, and the general manager of the Metropolitan Remand Centre.

Mr Rich told the Supreme Court he had been denied an opportunity to conduct his defence for over two years as a result of Corrections Victoria's refusal to allow him a computer in his cell at Port Phillip Prison.

But a lawyer for the respondents described the relief sought by Mr Rich as "vague and ambiguous" and argued the application should be summarily dismissed.

Mr Rich's application for a computer in his cell was rejected by Port Phillip Prison authorities in November 2005, Mr Mitchell said.

Mr Rich was moved to the Metropolitan Remand Centre in September 2006.

Justice Philip Mandie reserved his decision to a date to be fixed.