‘Complex issues at play’: Teen accused of killing Greg Josephson to see psychiatrist

3 months ago 6

The teenager accused of killing Universal Store co-founder Greg Josephson will be assessed by a psychiatrist for the first time in the week before Christmas.

The 58-year-old was found dead at his multimillion-dollar Brisbane home in June, during a Thursday-evening party attended by dozens of teenagers.

He was found inside the house, and had suffered critical injuries. Paramedics were unable to save him.

Greg Josephson, pictured with wife Tamra.

The death shocked the close-knit Clayfield community, with neighbours reporting hearing sirens as paramedics tried to gain entry into Josephson’s property.

A 15-year-old was charged with murder.

Kris Jahnke, representing the teenager, told the Childrens Court in a hearing on Tuesday that a psychiatrist had been retained.

“There are a number of complex issues at play in this matter,” he said.

“We are currently in the process of providing all relevant material to the psychiatrist to allow an assessment to be conducted and report prepared.

“We’re providing all the material to the psychiatrist. He will conduct an assessment and prepare a report. He will start that process in early December.

Josephson co-founded Universal Store, before selling the business for $100 million.

“He’ll meet with [the accused] for the first time on the 18th of December.

“Realistically, he won’t be in a position to provide us with an opinion until about the end of March next year, and that’s a rough estimate.”

The court heard DNA in the case would be assessed in the US.

Forensic testing in many court cases has been outsourced to laboratories overseas in a bid to address a significant backlog across Queensland.

Josephson founded Universal Store in 1999 with his brother Michael. The company was sold for $100 million in 2018.

Before his death, Josephson and his wife had been planning to sell their Clayfield property, worth about $5 million, while shifting their focus to business ventures on the Sunshine Coast.

Josephson was farewelled by loved ones in July.

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