Brendan Nugent Charged Over Targeted Attack on MP Helen Haines, 65, as She Remains Critical
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Oct 20
Brendan Nugent Charged Over Targeted Attack on MP Helen Haines, 65, as She Remains Critical
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Oct 20
Summary
Brendan Nugent, 43, was charged Tuesday night with intentionally causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury and harming a Commonwealth public official after police said the attack on Helen Haines was targeted.
Haines, 65, remained in critical condition after emergency surgery in Melbourne; she lost one leg and surgeons were trying to save the other after she was struck outside her Wangaratta office on Monday.
Rod Nugent, the accused man's father, said the family had known Haines for more than 20 years, called the incident "shocking and horrific" and pledged to assist police.
Local residents and former forestry campaigners said Nugent had drifted away in recent years, with some citing erratic behavior and past threats, while others expressed shock because he had once praised Haines on climate policy.