ANU Stabber Seeks to Avoid Jury Trial in Canberra Court
ANU Stabber Seeks to Evade Jury Trial
The man accused of stabbing two Australian National University students in broad daylight aims to skip a jury trial, his defense lawyer revealed in court. Alex Leonard Ophel, 25, previously denied two counts of attempted murder and two counts of common assault after allegedly assaulting four students without provocation in September last year.
Details from the ACT Supreme Court
On Wednesday, Ophel faced the ACT Supreme Court for official arraignment on his two most serious charges regarding the alleged campus attack. He stood firm and denied the charges.
- Ophel pleads not guilty to two alternative charges of intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm.
- Defense solicitor Tim Sharman stated that the trial's primary issue would be one of mental impairment.
- Sharman indicated that the matter might be resolved through a consent judgment rather than a full criminal trial.
Next Steps in the Case
Sharman expressed his expectation of receiving an expert report next week, which he intends to share with the ACT Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Prosecutor Emma Bayliss noted that the office will evaluate the report before making further decisions.
The case is scheduled to return to court next week, where it will be addressed by a registrar for further directions.
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