A man accused of spraying a busy street with up to 100 bullets, injuring 16 people, has had to settle an advocate argument in his first court appearance.
Artemios Mintzas, 60, allegedly peppered a busy Sydney shopping strip with bullets on Sunday night, leaving one person seriously injured and sparking a shootout with officers.
The incident in Croydon Park, in the city’s inner west, plunged residents into an hours-long lockdown after up to 100 bullets were sprayed and bullet holes were left in nearby cars.
In Burwood Local Court on Tuesday, a battle broke out between competing lawyers to represent Mintzas.
Solicitor Diana Sabouni indicated she had been communicating with Mintzas and his family since the shooting and was ready to represent him in court.
Barrister Dymphna Hawkins rebuffed her colleague to indicate she, too, had instructions from the alleged shooter.
“Lower the aggro,” magistrate Jennifer Price told Ms Sabouni when she protested for a speedy resolution.
Mintzas was eventually brought into the dock handcuffed and with puffy red eyes to confirm his wish for Ms Hawkins to be his legal representative.
“I’ve asked for Hawkins … to represent me,” Mintzas told the court.
He’s accused of engaging in a shootout with NSW Police after officers were allegedly targeted.
While no officers were hurt, more than a dozen people were treated for minor injuries, many of which were caused by broken glass, NSW Police acting Superintendent Stephen Parry confirmed on Monday.
One man underwent surgery and is expected to survive after being shot in the neck while riding in the back seat of a car.
The shots were allegedly fired from the window of a unit above a shop during a nearly two-hour stand-off.
Mintzas was arrested after tactical officers stormed the unit, where they allegedly seized a rifle and ammunition.
Mintzas was taken to hospital for minor injuries and was later taken to a police station to be charged.
He was late on Monday charged with 25 offences, including 18 counts of shooting with intent to murder, as well as possessing an unregistered firearm and unlicensed possession of ammunition.
Mintzas did not apply for bail on Tuesday.
His case will return to court on December 3.
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