AAP
A man accused of murder after a baby boy died from assault-related injuries has faced court.
Benjamin Joseph Swann was brought into Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon, flanked by custody officers.
The 29-year-old Hillside man has been charged with child homicide and murder, over the baby boy’s death in January.
Swann’s lawyer Anthony Condello told the court his client required depression medication and had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder.
Magistrate Rose Falla said Swann seemed “somewhat confused” as she explained to him the court process.
“I’ve made some orders that identify how this matter’s going to proceed,” she told Swann.
“I’ve set some time and dates, of which things need to happen for when we come back to court.”
Prosecutors have until May 2 to gather evidence, including CCTV and statements, to hand over to Swann’s lawyers.
Ms Falla ordered Swann to next face the court on June 13, via video link from prison.
The infant was found unresponsive by paramedics about 4am on January 19 at a Werribee home, west of Melbourne, police said.
He was taken to hospital with what police said were significant assault-related injuries, and he died the following morning.
Police said the baby’s death was deemed suspicious after they received the results of the post-mortem, and Swann was known to the baby but was not the biological father.
