Councillor charged with the murder of his stepfather
A Gold Coast councillor charged with murdering his stepfather has indicated he'll plead not guilty. The city's mayor Tom Tate is now seeking local government guidance on whether councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden can remain in his position while he fights the charge.
Transcript
00:00 A Gold Coast City Councillor on Tuesday...
00:04 "I don't support this particular application."
00:07 Now charged with murder.
00:09 Councillor Ryan Bowden-Lumsden was elected to serve his community in 2020.
00:15 "Our city position is that because we are shocked, condolences to the family."
00:21 Police were called to his Arundel family home after an alleged disturbance on Wednesday
00:26 afternoon.
00:27 They found the body of his 58-year-old stepfather, Robert Lumsden.
00:32 Division 7 Councillor Bowden-Lumsden was also inside and was taken into custody.
00:37 The house remains a crime scene.
00:39 Neighbours say they didn't hear a thing.
00:41 "No noise or anything and my wife, she was sitting outside while I was, you know, when
00:45 I was shopping and she said she never heard anything, not a thing."
00:49 The 30-year-old did not appear when his matter was heard at Southport Magistrates Court.
00:53 His lawyer says he intends to plead not guilty.
00:56 "Look, it's correct, I've entered a plea of not guilty and I can't say any more at this
01:00 stage but thank you very much for your interest."
01:02 Investigators are still piecing together what led to the alleged murder.
01:06 Given the seriousness of the charge, it is uncertain whether Councillor Bowden-Lumsden
01:10 will retain his position here at Gold Coast City Council.
01:13 "The question to ask is, can he perform his council duties?
01:18 And if he can't perform his council duties, then we'll make the next move on what we do
01:25 with Division 7."
01:26 The local government department says it's seeking legal advice.
01:30 [BLANK_AUDIO]