Liam Alexander Hall: Man accused of Australia Day terror attack in Perth CBD flags potential insanity plea

The man accused of throwing a homemade bomb into a crowd of Australia Day protesters in Perth’s CBD has flagged a potential insanity plea through his lawyer. Speeches at an Invasion Day rally in Forrest Place were underway when Liam Alexander Hall allegedly hurled the improvised grenade into about 2500 demonstrators. It landed in front of the stage but did not explode, with police saying the fuse either fell out or was extinguished as it sailed through the air. The Warwick man was arrested a short time later on the upper walkway and was escorted by police to his home where they allegedly found items “consistent with the manufacture of homemade explosives”. Police said the improved grenade was a glass container filled with three explosive liquids, wrapped in ball bearings and screws. Mr Hall has been in custody ever since and had his third hearing in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday, when defence counsel Simon Freitag said a psychiatric report was being prepared before entering pleas. That would hopefully happen at his client’s next appearance on May 26, he said. Mr Freitag flagged a possible Section 27 defence - a not guilty plea by reason of insanity. The accused is being held under an involuntary custody order in the high-security, 30-bed Frankland Centre unit within Graylands Hospital, where he is being treated by forensic psychiatrist Katinka Morton. He did not appear in court, which was told the unit was busy facilitating a video link for a murder sentencing in the WA Supreme Court. Mr Hall also did not appear for his second court appearance last month, when he was in prison, with Mr Freitag attributing his client’s absence to his “vulnerable mental health condition”. The lawyer revealed at that hearing that Mr Hall was receiving medication and was at risk of clashing “with a significant portion” of the jail’s population. Police allege Mr Hall, who lived alone, had accessed “pro-white material” online and was ideologically driven. He did appear at his first appearance, in person, wearing a blue forensic jumpsuit from behind security glass. A suppression order initially prohibited publication of his identity, the prison he was being held at and his autism diagnosis amid fears for his and his family’s safety. The matter will ultimately be progressed to the higher Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court. Mr Freitag said he hoped “to get some progress in Mr Hall’s wellbeing” before the next hearing. Mr Hall — who turned 32 behind bars — was initially charged with making an explosive under suspicious circumstances and endangering the life, health and safety of others. Days later, he became the first person to be charged in WA with engaging in a terrorist attack. Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 224 636