Radio Brisvaani
A so-called “criminal mastermind” horrifically burned in an alleged murder attempt on Friday will die in hospital, a court has heard.
Victor Graveson, 65, was rushed to hospital on Friday morning in a critical condition with burns to 80 per cent of his body.
David Charles Edgerley, 34, has been charged with attempted murder, soon to be upgraded to murder.
He allegedly poured accelerant on the retiree, who his family defended as a loving and caring man, while he was in bed at his home in Alexandra Hills, east of Brisbane, and set him on fire.
Mr Edgerley’s charge was heard in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for a second time in three days on Monday, where police prosecutor Peri Cardiff said an attempted surgery had been aborted because of the severity of Mr Graveson’s burns and no further surgery was planned.
Ms Cardiff said the family did not want to turn off life support but all drugs apart from pain relief had been discontinued and his oxygen supply would slowly be reduced.
“Ultimately it appears the complainant will pass away however a time frame is unknown,” the prosecutor said.
Ms Cardiff said Mr Edgerley’s charge would be upgraded to murder, not manslaughter, when Mr Graveson died.
Court documents show Graveson was one of five people arrested after police raided a cannabis plantation near Gin Gin in 1995.
In the Supreme Court, he was described as a criminal “mastermind” with alleged links to a prostitution business and outlaw criminal motorcycle gangs.
But the man’s niece, Tammy Davis, speaking outside court accompanied by a handful of supporters, said her uncle was a loving and caring man.
Ms Davis asked for privacy, labelling the alleged attack a “tragic, callous, evil act”.
“My uncle’s condition is us and the family’s top priority.
“The media has dragged enough mud and has not once considered how much of a loving, caring, gentle son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, he was.
“Please let our family now deal with my uncle’s condition and youse deal with the court, the charges.“
Mr Edgerley was not required to appear in court and his matter was adjourned until later this month.
