Update
A Sutherland Shire man accused of killing his elderly parents is in a vulnerable position in custody and needs protection as he recovers from injuries sustained during the alleged attack, a court has been told.
David Reid, 46, held his heavily bandaged right arm aloft as he appeared before Sutherland magistrate Les Mabbutt via audio-visual link from custody on Monday, charged with murdering his mother Dianna Reid and father Victor Graham Reid last Tuesday.
His lawyer asked for orders that the alleged killer receive priority medical treatment in custody.
"He's currently on self-harm watch and he needs protection," barrister James Glissan told the court on Monday.
"He's in a very vulnerable position and needs care."
He said a recommendation that Mr Reid receive priority medical attention and security would be "seriously considered" and "more likely to be acted upon" by Corrective Services, who is responsible for the care of prisoners.
Mr Mabbutt noted that Mr Reid was at risk of self-harm and harm by other prisoners and ordered that he receive suitable attention as requested.
Mr Glissan said his client would not be entering a plea at this stage nor making an application for bail, and bail was formally refused for him to reappear before court on October 14.
- Australian Associated Press
Update
A man charged with murdering his parents in their Sutherland home did not appear in court when the charges were briefly mentioned at Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
David Reid, 46, is expected to appear via video link when the matter comes before Sutherland Local Court on Monday.
Earlier
A man has been charged with two counts of murder after his parents were found dead inside their Sutherland home on Tuesday.
David Reid, 46, was arrested after the bodies of Graham and Diana Reid were found by police in the home at Tudar Road around 8am, following a concern for welfare visit.
Police arrived at the scene in response to an emergency phone call from David, who was threatening self-harm.
Police allege the couple's battered bodies were found lying in the bedroom and living room in the home they shared with their son, who was taken to hospital under police guard for non-life threatening injuries. It is understood the couple suffered a number of injuries, including stab wounds.
The alleged killer was released from Prince of Wales hospital, and taken to Maroubra Police Station where he was charged with the alleged murder of his parents.
He was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.
Lyn Howard, who has lived next door to the Reid family for about 50 years and had coffee in her home two to three times a week with Ms Reid, said David was a heavy drinker for at least 10 years.
Ms Howard said he was verbally abusive to his mother, "but not physically aggressive or violent as far as we were aware".
Ms Howard said Ms Reid "used to tell me some things but she kept a lot private, I think because she was embarrassed".
"I said to her once, 'You should get some help'.
"She said, 'I don't know where to go, and he wouldn't come anyway".
The senior minister at Jannali Anglican Church, where Graham and Diana Reid were very involved members for about 50 years, says there was no warning of impending tragedy.
Rev Neil Fitzpatrick said David attended the church as a child, "but we have had no contact with him for about the last 15 years".
Rev Fitzpatrick said Graham and Diana "had a deep faith in Jesus and served him in many ways".
"They were very involved in church life, such as with the local Mothers Union (MU Australia) and in Bible studies," he said.
"While we are comforted that they are now at home with Jesus, the grief of their loss will last a long time in the hearts of all who knew and loved them" said he found the tragedy "completely inexplicable".
Mike Smith, a leader at Miranda Toastmasters Club, where David was a member for the last year,said he found the tragedy "completely inexplicable".
"It's not anything I ever saw in David," he said.
Mr Smith said David had given no inkling of family problems.
"I used to drive him him after meetings and he never spoke about his family," Mr Smith said.
"He is a very quiet guy, he was hard to draw out. David is not a person you have long conversations with."
