The 21-year-old defendant, who has been treated at Wakari Hospital since the February 8 incident, has been assessed as unfit to stand trial.
Now Judge Michael Turner must decide how to deal with the man under the Criminal Procedure (Mentally-Impaired Persons) Act.
While he reserved his decision at a Dunedin District Court hearing today, he indicated he could make a compulsory treatment order in which the defendant would exist as an in-patient, or – a more stringent order – detaining the man as a special patient.
This afternoon, Southern District Health Board consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr David Bathgate gave evidence that the defendant had a "significant history of violence" which showed no obvious sign of abating in the future.
Since the man had been a patient, Dr Bathgate said, there had been four violent incidents, including one in which he wielded a metal bar from a bathroom as a weapon.
The court heard the defendant had a preoccupation with historical weapons and currently exhibited a "major fascination" with high-risk sports like bungee jumping.
"[He] doesn't see himself as having a disability but will continue to need a high level of support," Dr Bathgate said.
Crown prosecutor Catherine Ure highlighted the fact the defendant had been supervised immediately before the February armed robbery and there had been nothing in his behaviour to suggest the violent outburst that ensued.
The man was charged with the aggravated robbery of a Princes St liquor store after stealing $78 of alcohol and food while armed with a pair of scissors.
Sergeant Nathan White approached him on Bond St and their clash left the officer bleeding from a gash to his head.
The defendant was later tasered, and the judge said he had seen the footage from the incident.
The patient, who has autism-spectrum disorder and anxiety, had been asked about his reasons for the mini crime spree.
"He has given his perspective in relation to the events in the form of the arrest but in relation to the robbery, he just won't talk about it or says it didn't happen," Dr Bathgate said.
While defence counsel Brian Kilkelly argued the less rigorous order should be imposed by the court, Ms Ure advocated for a stiffer approach under the legislation.
Citing reports before the judge, she said anyone in a position of authority faced the threat of violence from the man – not just police officers but shopkeepers and bus drivers too.
"That’s a good proportion of the public at risk," she said.
Judge Turner will his release his decision on Thursday.
