A MAN accused of murder in the Port Arthur massacre of 35 people appeared in a Tasmanian courtroom via a video link from yesterday because of security fears.
Martin Bryant (29), appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court charged with the murder of Ms Kate Scott, one of the 35 people shot dead at Port Arthur in the southern state of Tasmanian on April 28th.
Mr Bryant, who is being treated in a prison hospital for burns to his back and buttocks, did not enter a plea during the brief hearing and no further charges were laid in relation to the other 34 people killed.
Mr Bryant, who was seated in a wheelchair, was remanded to appear in court again on June 18th.
The video court appearance from Hobart's maximum security Risdon Prison was arranged because of security concerns and Mr Bryant's state of health, the Tasmanian Attorney General, Mr Ray Gwm, said. "There's been quite a large amount of mail and telephone calls that have been made, and we're concerned of course also about other people who may be placed in danger," he said.
Shortly before the video hearing, the first in Tasmania, court staff said they had received a bomb threat by telephone.
A small group of 10 visitors to the court underwent tight security. Court officials searched their bags and scanned their bodies with metal detectors before they were allowed entry.
Sitting in a packed room beneath the court, about 30 journalists watched two television monitors, one of the court and one of Mr Bryant in a special video linked cell in Risdon Prison.
Wearing casual clothes - a brown waistcoat and cream and brown striped shirt - Mr Bryant looked straight ahead with hiss head slightly bowed for most of the hearing.
Asked by the magistrate, Mr Michael Hill, whether he was Martin Bryant, he replied: "Oh, yes". Asked if he understood he would be remanded in custody until his next court appearance, he said: "Yes, I do, thanks."
At the end of the minute long hearing, Mr Bryant, his long blond hair parted down one side, was wheeled away by prison guards.
Mr Groom said he expected Mr Bryant to appear in court in person for future remand hearings. He was charged at a hospital bedside hearing two days after the massacre before being moved to prison.