Harrison Kitt pleads not guilty over crash that killed Joanne Shanahan and Tania McNeill

·

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.

Senior police officer Joanne Shanahan and mother Tania McNeill died in the crash on April 25.(ABC News: Claire Campbell)

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.

PHOTO: (L) Late Detective Chief Superintendent Joanne Shanahan’s husband and kids gathered at the scene on Tuesday / Image: 10 News First (R) Tributes to Joanne Shanahan and Tania McNeill at the scene of the crash.

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.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

George Kefalas remembered fondly by Sydney’s Greek community

George Kefalas, well-known Greek businessman, will be laid to rest today in an intimate funeral service at St Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, Rockwood.

Two Greek Australians awarded at National Para Football Championships 2024

After 15 matches at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the 2024 National Para Football Championships came to an end.

Father John Varvaris pleads guilty to negligent driving after incident with elderly parishioner

An elderly priest with a long-standing commitment to his community is facing uncertainty as he awaits the outcome of a tragic incident involving a parishioner he accidentally struck with his car.Â