The self-proclaimed sovereign citizen Dezi Freeman, who fatally shot two Victorian police officers, unleashed a vile rant over the dying men, it has been revealed at an inquest into the deaths. Freeman, 56, killed Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neil Thompson during a confrontation at a rural property in Victoria’s High Country on August 26 last year.
Details of the Shooting
The details of the shootings were heard during a directions hearing at the Coroners Court of Victoria on Monday. The two officers were part of a 10-person police team that arrived at Freeman’s Porepunkah property to execute a search warrant related to allegations of child sexual abuse and the attempted production of child abuse material.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Lindsay Spence, stated that the warrant authorised police to arrest and interview Freeman, as well as seize electronic devices suspected of containing child abuse material. However, officers were met with hostility at the remote property, where Freeman lived with his family in a converted bus about 310 kilometres northeast of Melbourne.
Confrontation at the Bus
Freeman, also known as Desmond Christopher Filby, was inside the bus with his wife, Amalia “Mali” Freeman, and a young child when police arrived. The court heard that he refused repeated demands to exit the bus, yelling that the warrant was “illegal” and telling officers to “go to hell”. He reportedly said: “Oh for f***’s sake what bulls***” when an officer explained why they were there.
Police handed a copy of the warrant through a window, but Freeman allegedly claimed he “knew the law” and was “appealing the search warrant to the Supreme Court”. When Thompson, 59, attempted to climb through a perspex window above the bus door, Freeman allegedly shot him in the side of the face and neck with a shotgun. Thompson collapsed immediately.
De Waart-Hottart, 35, who was standing nearby in the bus annex, turned to run before he was shot in the head. The court heard that Freeman then took de Waart-Hottart’s handgun and shot Thompson a second time.
Freeman’s Rant
“F***ing scum ... you f***ing die in f***ing hell,” Freeman was recorded saying as he stood over the fallen officers. “I had no choice. I had no choice,” he said repeatedly. Freeman later fled into nearby bushland, allegedly texting his wife: “Get a mile away and keep going. See you in heaven love.”
More details are expected to emerge as the inquest continues. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 49.
