More than a year after the death of a young lawyer run over in the early hours of a weekend morning, the man allegedly responsible has yet to enter pleas.
Police allege Zisi Kokotatsios, 65, was illegally using his phone while driving through Tamarama in Sydney‘s east to collect a passenger about 4am on March 17, 2024.
He is accused of running over 28-year-old lawyer Mitch East, who had been on the road, and failing to stop to help.
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Emergency services were called and attempted to revive East but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Kokotatsios was later charged with failing to stop and assist after a vehicle impact causing death, dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death and driving while using a mobile phone.
He has not yet entered pleas to the charges, which have been before the courts for more than a year.
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The 65-year-old faced Central Local Court today, when his matter was adjourned for a case conference later in July.
Kokotatsios remained silent as he walked out of the courthouse flanked by his lawyer.
He has been on bail under strict conditions to report to police daily and not approach any international point of departure.
His alleged victim East graduated from Harvard Law School in 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile.
At the time of his death, he worked at Sydney law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler after beginning his legal career in his native New Zealand.
An email to the firm’s staff following his death described East as a highly talented lawyer, and a popular and valued member of the firm, whose loss would be deeply felt.
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