Suspect in vehicle attack on Australian lawmaker appears in court as police investigate motive

SYDNEY — A man accused of ramming his car into Australian lawmaker Helen Haines outside her electoral office appeared in court Wednesday, as police sought to understand the motive for the rare attack on an elected official.

Doctors amputated one of Haines’ legs after the car struck her twice in Wangaratta, northeast of Melbourne, on Monday, Australian media and officials said. The suspect was restrained by members of the public at the scene before being arrested.

Haines, an independent lawmaker who has championed causes including climate change and regional housing, remains in critical condition.

Australian lawmaker loses leg in car ramming attack

Brendan Nugent, a 43-year-old resident of the rural town of Tarrawingee within Haines’ electorate, was charged with three offenses, according to court filings made public on Wednesday: dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a public official.

Additional charges of cannabis cultivation and possession have also been laid against Nugent, the court filings showed.

During a brief court appearance Wednesday, Nugent’s lawyer said his client suffers from a rare neurological condition called idiopathic transverse myelitis and was also being treated for concussion, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported. His lawyer told the magistrate…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business