Man Charged With One Count of Murder in Australia Slayings

Police charged a 28-year-old man today with one count of murder at a hospital bedside court in connection with a shooting massacre that left 35 people dead in the southern island state of Tasmania.

Police said additional charges would be filed soon.

Martin Bryant did not enter a plea. Judge Peter Dixon ordered him to remain in custody and to appear in court May 22.

Bryant remained hospitalized in the same facility where 18 of his victims were treated for gunshot wounds. He suffered burns to his back and buttocks as he fled a burning inn after an 18-hour siege that followed a one-hour rampage in which he killed 32 people.

Bryant was captured Monday morning after fleeing the guest house, which he torched with three hostages inside.

Three charred bodies were found in the smoldering ashes of the house, bringing the death toll to 35.

Hospital officials said they had received death threats from people demanding that Bryant not be treated for his burns.

“There is a lot of anger against what has happened,” said Lindsay Pyne, the hospital’s chief executive.

Local media reported that Bryant, who had no criminal record, had suffered mental problems and mood swings after a car accident three years ago that killed the woman with whom he was living. But people who identified themselves as his neighbors said his threatening behavior had been apparent since his arrival in the area four years ago.

Prime Minister John Howard promised Monday that his government will strive to tighten the country’s relaxed gun laws.