Bethungra man accused of elderly couple's murder ordered to undergo fitness
Ross Moran Dallow, accused of fatally attacking an elderly couple in Bethungra, must undergo psychiatric assessment for fitness to plead.
Dallow was ordered by Judge Tony Murray in Wagga Local Court to have the assessment after his lawyer applied to establish whether he can understand proceedings and assist in his own defence. Dallow faces one count of murder and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, both marked as domestic violence.
Police say he forced his way into a home and attacked an 84-year-old man and 82-year-old woman known to him. The man later died in hospital.
The case returns to court in December.
- 84 and 82 years old
- Victim ages
- September 16 in Wagga Local Court
- Hearing date
- December 16
- Next court date
Why it mattersFitness to plead is a critical legal threshold; if found unfit, Dallow cannot proceed to trial and the charges cannot be heard.
AustraliaNSW courts regularly use fitness assessments in serious cases; the outcome will affect how this Riverina case progresses.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 5 d ago
