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Kim Ramchen, a 37-year-old teacher, is facing serious allegations including reckless conduct, intentionally causing injury, and assault with a weapon following a stabbing incident last December.
Ramchen, who taught at Keysborough College, allegedly took a knife from the school’s kitchen and attacked Principal Aaron Sykes. This incident reportedly occurred after Ramchen was informed his teaching contract would not be renewed.
Scheduled to appear via video link from prison at the Dandenong Magistrates Court today, Ramchen was notably absent from the brief proceedings.
His attorney, Ruth Parker, assured the court that Ramchen was fully informed of the day’s developments, allowing the session to continue in his absence.
Parker also mentioned that a psychological evaluation had been completed due to concerns regarding Ramchen’s mental health and competency.
A hearing in February was told Ramchen had been diagnosed with autism, schizophrenia spectrum disorders and PTSD, but was not unwell while in custody.
At that time Parker raised concerns that he may not be fit to give her instructions on how to progress the matter.
She said today a fresh psychiatric report found he had “very serious issues”, but he was fit to give instructions and Ramchen had met with one of her staff yesterday.
“In those circumstances, Your Honour, what is proposed is that the matter be adjourned to a future date for plea hearing,” Parker told the court.
“We understand the matter is likely to resolve.”
Ramchen is yet to formally enter a plea of guilty.
Parker said she was in discussions with the prosecution about the plea, and she still needed to make a formal offer on what Ramchen will plead guilty to.
Magistrate Frances Medina set down a one-hour plea hearing for April 29 at the court in Dandenong, where Ramchen will face the court remotely from prison.
He is the son of former Price Is Right host Jacqui Ramchen who disappeared in 1992, with his late father charged over her killing until a magistrate found there was not enough evidence to commit him to trial.
Ramchen had taken on a parental role within the family after his mother disappeared and his father died from cancer when he was 14, his brother Lev told the court in December.