Plea indicated for teacher over principal stabbing

The Keysborough College teacher is accused of arming himself with a knife from the school kitchen and stabbing principal Aaron Sykes after being told his contract would not be renewed.

Ramchen was due to face Dandenong Magistrates Court on Wednesday via video link from prison, however he did not appear for the brief hearing.

His lawyer Ruth Parker said Ramchen was aware of what was happening and they proceeded in his absence.

She said a psychological report had been prepared after concerns about Ramchen's mental fitness.

A hearing in February was told Ramchen had been diagnosed with autism, schizophrenia spectrum disorders and PTSD, but was not unwell while in custody.

At that time Ms Parker raised concerns that he may not be fit to give her instructions on how to progress the matter.

She said on Wednesday a fresh psychiatric report found he had "very serious issues", but he was fit to give instructions and Ramchen had met with one of her staff on Tuesday.

"In those circumstances, Your Honour, what is proposed is that the matter be adjourned to a future date for plea hearing," Ms Parker told the court.

"We understand the matter is likely to resolve."

Ramchen is yet to formally enter a plea of guilty.

Ms Parker said she was in discussions with the prosecution about the plea, and she still needed to make a formal offer on what Ramchen will plead guilty to.

Magistrate Frances Medina set down a one hour plea hearing for April 29 at the court in Dandenong, where Ramchen will face the court remotely from prison.

He is the son of former Price Is Right host Jacqui Ramchen who disappeared in 1992, with his late father charged over her killing until a magistrate found there was not enough evidence to commit him to trial.

Ramchen had taken on a parental role within the family after his mother disappeared and his father died from cancer when he was 14, his brother Lev told the court in December.

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