(edited by me for brevity. )
That's exactly what I said, anyone is eligible, depending on the severity of the crime... for a discount on the length of time served before applying for parole. Pleading guilty does not mean the discount is automatic. It is conditional. It is, though, common. Some crimes are so horrendous the judge cannot grant the discount, regardless of the plea. This happens regularly, it is not uncommon.
His mental state is a matter that I am almost positive will be bought up, maybe a major factor, bearing in mind, he was working at his trade, maintaining a long term relationship, partying with friends, keeping up his sporting regime, apparently on good terms with his parents, still living at home in harmony with them, apart from the house sharing house sitting weeks with the girlfriend, right up until that Sunday. Whatever tipped that equilibrium over , it happened quickly, perhaps...
If he is unfit, it is unlikely he would still be held in remand, though. He would have been moved out into supervised custodial treatment. The Remand centre has no capacity for that kind of treatment.
For that reason, I am putting the mental health thing to one side, his local solicitor claimed he had no mental health problems at all. For these reasons I do not think that is going to fly, but who knows... it may be the only defence Mr Galbally can come up with, but there are risks. Being consigned to a secure mental ward in a locked hospital environment may not be any more pleasant that Gen. Pop at Port Philip Correctional . There is no provision for being eased out of the locked ward, either. People stay in there for years.,