A young man who was involved in a crash that killed senior police officer Joanne Shanahan and a mother in April has pleaded not guilty in court yesterday.
Harrison Kitt pleaded not guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing aggravated harm by dangerous driving in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday morning, ABC News reports.
David Edwardson QC, for Mr Kitt, reportedly told the court that his client has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and has manic episodes and psychotic features.
He said the diagnosis had been confirmed by a clinical psychiatrist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Senior Greek Australian police officer Joanne Shanahan, 55, and mother Tania McNeill, 53, died in the crash at the intersection of Cross Road and Fullarton Road at Urrbrae on April 25.
READ MORE: Police officers and SA community bid public farewell to Joanne Shanahan
READ MORE: Harrison Kitt makes first court appearance after crash that killed Joanne Shanahan
Joanne Shanahan (nee Panayiotou) was a mother-of-two and well-respected Detective Chief Superintendent prior to her tragic death.
“Not only have we lost a beautiful person, we’ve lost a detective with a wealth of knowledge,’ Commissioner Stevens told media upon her death.
The court heard reports into Mr Kitt’s mental competence could not be ordered until he has been committed to the District Court.
Mr Kitt has been ordered to stand trial in the District Court of South Australia. Magistrate Jay McGrath set an arraignment date in the District Court for January 15, 2021.
Police officers and SA community bid a public farewell to Joanne on May 8, with police flanking the streets of Adelaide’s inner south to say their last goodbyes.
