A man has been granted bail after being charged over the death of a New Zealand-born lawyer who was found lying on a Sydney street last Sunday morning.
Former real estate agent Zisi Kokotatsios, 63, was arrested and charged on Friday with dangerous driving occasioning death and failing to stop and assist after a crash causing death.
Mitch East, 28, was found dead on Fletcher St in the Sydney suburb of Tamarama shortly after 4am on Sunday, March 17.
East was born in New Zealand, growing up in Hamilton before studying at Otago and Harvard University, and had recently moved to Sydney.
He made his mark working on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terrorist attack in 2020.
Kokotatsios faced Parramatta bail court this morning, reported the ABC. The court was told he was on his way to pick up a rideshare passenger when he allegedly ran over East.
The court was told East was lying on the road when he was struck, although it was not stated why he was on the road.
CCTV footage obtained by police allegedly showed the car "lifted up" during the incident. In opposing a bail application, the prosecutor told the court there was "no doubt the occupant knew he struck something".
Defence lawyer Mohamad Sakr said Kokotatsios continued picking up passengers after the incident and there was no evidence he knew he had run someone over.
The magistrate said the prosecution "has difficulties" with its case and Kokotatsios "deserved bail".
He was due to appear next at Downing Centre Local Court on May 9.
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