Two brothers accused of murdering a man outside a primary school in Melbourne's southeast have pleaded not guilty and will stand trial. Liam Robert Harnett, 22, and Connor Edmund Harnett, 21, appeared via video link at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday and each said 'not guilty, Your Honour' to the murder charge over Andre Szep's death, 63.
The charges stem from an incident on June 12 outside Strathaird Primary School at Narre Warren South. Police believe the attack occurred at a reserve near the school about 3:15pm, shortly before students were due to leave. Szep, of Clyde North, was rushed to hospital in critical condition but died six days later. The brothers were initially charged with recklessly causing serious injury, but their charges were upgraded to murder in July.
Appearing via video link from prison, the two men answered only to enter their not-guilty pleas. They did not apply for bail. A directions hearing in the Supreme Court has been set for February.
Police believe the Harnett brothers and Szep were known to each other. Several parents and students witnessed the alleged murder. One father said at the time, 'I shielded my son straight away. I didn't want him to see anything.' The reserve, where police believe the attack happened, sits metres from the school and a children's centre and is regularly used by families.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case involves an alleged murder at a primary school during pick-up time, witnessed by children and parents, deepening community concern about safety in school zones.
- The charges were upgraded from recklessly causing serious injury to murder, reflecting the severity of the alleged crime.
- The trial process, starting with a February directions hearing, will determine accountability for the death.
Background
On June 12, Andre Szep was assaulted at a reserve near Strathaird Primary School and died six days later. The Harnett brothers were initially charged with lesser offences but the charges were upgraded to murder in July. They have now pleaded not guilty and have been committed for trial.
Key Perspectives
- Victoria Police: believe the accused men and the victim were known to each other.
- Accused brothers: have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
- Witnessing parent: described shielding his son, saying he did not want the child to see the attack.
What to Watch
- Directions hearing in the Victorian Supreme Court scheduled for February.
- Setting of a trial date after the directions hearing.
- Further developments as the case proceeds through the court system.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe brothers pleaded not guilty to the school pick-up murder of Andre Szep.7NEWS: “Brothers Liam Robert Harnett and Connor Edmund Harnett plead not guilty to school pick-up murder of Andre Szep.”
- SupportedLiam and Connor Harnett were committed to stand trial in the Victorian Supreme Court.7NEWS: “They each pleaded not guilty to the charge on Wednesday and were committed to stand trial in the Victorian Supreme Court.”
- SupportedLiam Robert Harnett, 22, and Connor Edmund Harnett, 21, appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday.7NEWS: “Liam Robert Harnett, 22, and Connor Edmund Harnett, 21, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday over the June 12 incident.”
- SupportedThe brothers each pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.7NEWS: “They each pleaded not guilty to the charge on Wednesday and were committed to stand trial in the Victorian Supreme Court.”
- SupportedThe brothers said, “not guilty, Your Honour”.7NEWS: “The two men, who appeared on a video link from prison, only spoke to say they were, “not guilty, Your Honour”.”
- SupportedThe incident was on June 12, outside Strathaird Primary School at Narre Warren South.7NEWS: “Liam Robert Harnett, 22, and Connor Edmund Harnett, 21, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday over the June 12 incident. It’s alleged they assaulted Andre Szep, 63, metres from Strathaird Primary School at Narre Warren South in Melbourne’s southeast.”
- SupportedPolice believe the attack happened at a reserve near the school about 3:15pm, shortly before students were due to leave.7NEWS: “Police believe the attack happened at a reserve near the school about 3.15pm, shortly before students were due to leave for the day.”
- SupportedAndre Szep, 63, from Clyde North, was taken to hospital in critical condition and died six days later.7NEWS: “Szep, from Clyde North, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but died six days later.”
- SupportedThe brothers were initially charged with recklessly causing serious injury, and the charges were upgraded to murder in July.7NEWS: “The brothers were initially charged with recklessly cause serious injury but their charges were upgraded to murder in July.”
- SupportedThe brothers did not apply for bail.7NEWS: “Neither accused made an application for bail.”
- SupportedA directions hearing in the Supreme Court is set for February.7NEWS: “They will face a directions hearing in the Supreme Court in February.”
- SupportedPolice believe the brothers and Szep knew each other.7NEWS: “Police believe the two men and Szep were known to each other.”