Lawyer for man accused of killing grandad Christopher Baghsarian claims police facts are ‘horrific’

A lawyer for one of the men accused of kidnapping and killing an 85-year-old grandfather has made an astonishing claim outside court.

A lawyer representing one of the men accused of killing grandfather Christopher Baghsarian says he is struggling to do his job after reading what he described as the “horrific” police allegations in the case.

Mr Baghsarian was allegedly murdered within 48 hours after he was kidnapped from his North Ryde home on February 13, court documents have revealed.

Police were quick to say they believed the 85-year-old was not the intended target of the alleged kidnapping, issuing several pleas for Mr Baghsarian’s freedom before his body was tragically found near a golf club in Pitt Town in the city’s northwest 11 days after he was allegedly snatched.

Christopher Baghsarian was allegedly kidnapped and murdered in a case of mistaken identity. Picture: 7News

Daniel Stevens was arrested and charged on Wednesday. Picture: Facebook

Gerard Andrews was also arrested and charged. Picture: Supplied
Gerard Andrews, 29, and Daniel Stevens, 24, were both charged with murder and take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm late on Wednesday evening.

It is alleged the pair kidnapped Mr Baghsarian to hold him for ransom, according to documents tendered to the court and seen by NewsWire.

The documents have also revealed police believe Mr Baghsarian was allegedly murdered within 48 hours of his kidnapping.

Mr Andrews and Mr Stevens allegedly murdered the grandfather between February 13 and 14, the documents state.

Mr Andrews wore the same Gucci top he was arrested in as he beamed into Blacktown Court on Thursday, sporting dishevelled hair.

He and Mr Stevens both dialled into court on Thursday and will remain behind bars on remand as neither of them applied for bail.

Mr Andrews’ lawyer Paul McGirr claimed outside court that he needed to remind himself that he has a job to do after reading what he described as the “horrific” set of police facts in the case.

He added that it appeared his client was not the “mastermind” behind the alleged kidnapping.

“Certainly from what I can gather, my client was no mastermind in respect to his involvement in this particular matter, but we’ll wait for a brief and we’ll take it from there,” Mr McGirr told reporters outside court.

“Of course it’s not lost on me the sensitive nature of this particular matter for the victim’s family, but as I said, I have a job to do, and it’s very hard in this particular moment in time for me to do that job having read the fact sheet.

“But I won’t be commenting on the fact sheet in any way. The investigation is still ongoing, and in that particular respect I will wait for a brief of evidence which we should get within eight weeks and I’ll go from there. But that’s all I can say.”

Mr Andrews stumbled over his pants while he was arrested when he was arrested. Picture: NewsWire Handout
Mr Stevens told the court that he had not been able to shower yet as he asked for medical attention to treat shingles.

“It’s just an antiviral, I don’t know the exact name but it’s the generic version,” he said.

“The shingles isn’t contagious anymore … I haven’t showered.”

Mr Stevens’ lawyer Javid Faiz called the case a “tragic incident” while speaking to reporters outside court.

“There’s no doubt that this would have had an effect on the community,” Mr Faiz said.

Mr Stevens was also arrested on Wednesday. Picture: NSW Police
“I have spoken to him and he understands the seriousness of the matter, he understands the nature, the gravity of the allegations and he’s taking the matter seriously.”

Both matters were adjourned to April 17, with the magistrate acknowledging Mr Stevens’ need for medication.

Tributes have been placed outside Mr Baghsarian’s home, with one person writing how the 85-year-old reminds them of their father.
“What a cruel world we live in … I’m sorry we let you down,” the tribute read.

Mr Baghsarian is believed to have died at a semirural Dural property, with his remains found discarded near Lynwood Golf Club in Pitt Town.

Police found Mr Andrews and Mr Stevens by following a “trail” that included CCTV, vehicles, and a partially burnt-out car found last week.

During his arrest, Mr Andrews found it difficult to walk as he stumbled over his jeans, which pooled around his feet, while officers dragged him to a police car.