OFF THE WIRE
Finks motorcycle gxxg member Troy Mercanti will have a bedside court hearing this afternoon due to his "significantly deteriorating" mental and physical state, a Perth court was told.
Mr Mercanti was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning, charged with aggravated assault and trespassing following a home invasion in Duncraig.
He has also been charged with assault charges in relation to another incident earlier this month, and police are yet to lay charges over the alleged discovery of drugs and ammunition in his home.
Mr Mercanti has been under police guard in a Perth hospital since his arrest in the early hours of Sunday, and was suffering from significant physical trauma which may include amphetamine abuse, the court heard on Monday.
His lawyer Laurie Levy said today that Mr Mercanti's condition had deteriorated significantly, and he successfully applied for a bedside hearing this afternoon.
Mr Mercanti was arrested and taken to hospital after police were called to the home of a Duncraig couple at 4.15am on Sunday, where they allegedly found Mr Mercanti bashing on the door.
Police from the organised crime squad then carried out a raid on his home - less than one kilometre away - where it is alleged drugs and ammunition were found.
Mr Mercanti was charged with one count of acts intended to cause bodily harm, three aggravated assaults occasioning bodily harm and one aggravated indecent assault. Those charges related to separate incidents which took place earlier this month.
He was also charged with trespassing and damage, relating to the incident on Sunday.
Mr Mercanti was due to have a bedside hearing on Monday, but the matter was postponed to this morning due to his ailing health.
The court was told on Monday that Mr Mercanti had "significant physical trauma" but there was not any issues regarding his mental capacity at the moment.
Mr Levy today argued that Mr Mercanti's current custody condition prevented him access from family and friends who could advise over the types of medical treatment that he needed.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Andy Elliott did not oppose holding a bedside hearing so the gang crime detectives could be put back on the street and Serco guards put in their place at the hospital.
Mr Mercanti's medical records have not yet been presented before the courts.
He was not expected to apply for bail, however he will be read the full list of charges in relation to the incident on Sunday.
Mr Mercanti was released from prison in August last year after he was jailed for causing grievous bodily harm in 2007.
His defection to the Finks in 2008 sparked a feud between the two outlaw motorcycle gxxgs who have since engaged in violent clashes, including a brawl at the Kwinana Motorplex in 2010 in which a Finks member lost three fingers.
http://www.smh.com.au/wa-news/mercantis-health-deteriorated-significantly-20120125-1qgyl.html
