Matthew Newton in US mental health facility

Troubled actor Matthew Newton is is under 24-hour supervision in a US mental health facility his lawyer Chris Murphy told Downing Centre Local Court today.

Murphy said there had been “some profound developments in relation to his medication,” since being there.

But he expressed frustration with the local case in which Newton faces charges of punching a taxi driver in the neck last December.

He said there was “no point” bringing the matter back before the Sydney court for an August 6 hearing.

“This (Sydney) case is getting out of control,” he said.

“The media scrum turns up, there are more court reports in the newspaper … This man is trying to get fixed.

“I’m telling you there’s nothing I can tell you on that day.”

Newton, who suffers from bipolar and obsessive compulsive disorders, relocated to the US to escape media attention, but has been listed to stand trial in the US on July 25 over charges relating to incidents at a Miami restaurant and a hotel in April.

Murphy said Newton was likely to be granted an adjournment of four to six weeks by the US court so his case can be dealt with under mental health provisions.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Jane Mottley is proceeding with the August 6th date.

Source: smh.com.au