Mert Ney pleads guilty to murder over Sydney stabbing
A man has pleaded guilty to murder after he fatally stabbed a 24-year-old woman at an apartment in Sydney's CBD last year, then ran through the streets wielding a knife and stabbed another woman in the back.
Mert Ney, 22, was subdued by bystanders on the afternoon of August 13, 2019 after he ran through inner Sydney yelling and waving a knife following the killing.
Mert Ney runs through Sydney's CBD in August 2019.Credit:Nine News
On Tuesday, he faced Central Local Court where he pleaded guilty to murdering Michaela Dunn, stabbing a second woman Lin Bo in the back with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and common assault for a third incident relating to his sister on August 7.
A charge of possessing 1.6 grams of cannabis will be taken into account when he is sentenced.
Six further charges were withdrawn, including attempted murder, wounding with intent to murder, being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, and possessing child abuse material.
Michaela Dunn, whose mother described her as a "beautiful girl from a beautiful family".Credit:Facebook
Ney, who appeared from Parklea Correctional Centre wearing a long-sleeved shirt, said "ah, guilty" to each of the charges and added for the cannabis charge: "yeah, it was mine".
DPP Solicitor James Chin told the court that facts in the case are mostly agreed, with some "disputed sections".
Speaking outside court, Ney's lawyer Zemarai Khatiz said his client has accepted responsibility for his actions.
Mr Khatiz said it will be argued during sentencing that Ney has mental health conditions, which were a "significant contributing factor to what occurred".
"Now the matter's been committed to the Supreme Court," Mr Khatiz said. "He is very sorry for what he has done."
Asked if his client has anything to say to Ms Dunn's family, Mr Khatiz said Ney "has already said that he's sorry, and that's to the family".
Ms Dunn's mother left court shortly after the pleas were entered, flanked by supporters and a police officer, and declined to make any comment.
Ney will face the NSW Supreme Court on December 11.
Georgina Mitchell is a court reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.