The man accused of setting a Brisbane bus driver on fire is "numb" after being charged with murder, his lawyer said.
Anthony O'Donohue, 48, appeared briefly in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today charged with killing Manmeet Sharma, 29, at a Moorooka bus stop the day before.
Mr O'Donohue is also charged with arson and 11 counts of attempted murder relating to the passengers who were on the bus at the time of the fatal attack.
READ MORE:Vigil to be held for slain bus driver
Lawyer Adam Magill told the media he had concerns for his client's mental health, which needed to be assessed particularly because the heinous circumstances of the alleged offence did not "make sense".
"He's numb, I don't think he's feeling anything at this point in time," Mr Magill said.
"He's trying to come to terms with what happened himself."
Mr O'Donohue will remain in custody until his case returns to court in late November.
There has been an outpouring of grief from Indians across Australia since the death of Mr Sharma, who was a prominent figure and beloved singer in the Punjabi community.
Mr Sharma, who also goes by the name Manmeet Alisher, was employed as a casual bus driver and had only been working in the job for several months.
Police said he did not stand a chance when Mr O'Donohue allegedly climbed onto his bus just after 9am and hurled an incendiary device at him as he sat behind the wheel.
Mr Sharma was burned alive as passengers, including children, screamed and fought to escape the inferno.
Taxi driver Aguek Nyok who saw events unfolded has been praised as a hero for kicking out the back the back door of the bus to help those trapped inside.