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<\/p>\nQueensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls has ordered an internal probe into the treatment of a man accused of a violent crime spree in Childers earlier this week.<\/p>\n
Richard Zoltan Babos, 36, was charged with several offences, including murder and attempt to murder, after allegedly beating a man to death with a metal pole.<\/p>\n
Mr Nicholls has now directed his director-general and the chief psychiatrist to conduct “further inquiries” into the assessment, treatment, and discharge of Mr Babos.<\/p>\n
The ABC understands police took Mr Babos to the Caboolture Hospital emergency department on the afternoon of May 25 under an emergency examination authority.<\/p>\n
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Multiple crime scenes were established around Childers after the alleged violent spree. (ABC News: Nikki Sorbello)<\/p>\n
Such an authority is a legal mechanism that allows for the involuntary examination of people who may be at immediate risk of serious harm for mental health reasons.<\/p>\n
He was discharged that evening and was not under the authority at the time of the alleged offences.<\/p>\n
The ABC also understands Mr Babos has been known to Queensland health services over years.<\/p>\n
In a brief one-line statement, Mr Nicholls said he wanted the further inquiries done to ensure all “appropriate clinical and legislative steps were complied with”.<\/p>\n
The minister had issued another statement yesterday, where he said his department was working with police as they conducted their investigation.<\/p>\n
He said this included examining interactions between Mr Babos and the health system.<\/p>\n
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An elderly man was killed and multiple other people assaulted at Childers on Wednesday. (ABC Wide Bay: Nikki Sorbello)<\/p>\n
Mr Babos has been charged with one count of murder, one of attempt to murder, acts intended to maim\/disfigure\/disable, dangerous operation of a vehicle and evasion.<\/p>\n
It is alleged Mr Babos beat 78-year-old North Isis man, Lawrence Elliott, to death with a metal pole on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Mr Babos is alleged to have driven on Whitebridge Road in North Isis, where he left his car and punched Mr Elliott in the head before hitting him with a metal pole.<\/p>\n
Police allege Mr Babos was earlier driving a Subaru Liberty on North Street, Childers, when he allegedly reversed into a Mitsubishi Pajero, deliberately crashing the cars.<\/p>\n
Police said the Mitsubishi driver, a 65-year-old Howard man, left the car before Mr Babos allegedly reversed into him, got out of the car, then punched him several times before leaving the scene.<\/p>\n