'Rot in hell you scumbag': Outburst in Adelaide court as lawyer says triple murder accused mentally unfit

There have been emotional scenes in an Adelaide court during an appearance by the man charged over last year’s shocking triple murder at Hillier.

It came as his lawyer argued he might not be mentally fit to answer charges.

Thirty year old Steven Peet was facing court charged with the murders of 29-year-old Yvette Rigney-Wilson and her children Amber and Korey, aged just six and five at their Hillier property, north of Adelaide, in May 2016.

As Peet was led away from the dock, a man in the public gallery lashed out, yelling “Rot in hell you scumbag piece of s**t”.

Peet was listed to enter his pleas to the triple murder, instead his lawyer said he might not be mentally competent to do that.

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It is understood that is what prompted the emotional outburst.

It means that Peet may never been tried for the crimes that shocked South Australia and left family members heartbroken.

“She was a beautiful lady and looked after her children as best she could,” Yvette’s mother Donna Rigney said.

But their unimaginable grief soon turned to anger. Peter Rigney, an uncle, said he hoped justice was done.

Steven Peet was Yvette Rigney-Wilson’s partner but not the biological father of her children.

Seven News understands all three had been strangled.

Peet remains in custody and is due back in court next month.