No bail for man accused of ‘random’ stabbing murder
Source: AAP
A mental health patient who absconded from care will stay behind bars after allegedly stabbing a man to death.
Two other stabbing victims were hospitalised following Tuesday’s mid-morning attack in Merrylands, in Sydney’s west, 10 days after Setefano Mooniai Leaaetoa fled health authorities.
NSW Health confirmed the 25-year-old was being transferred between a mental health facility and Westmead Hospital’s emergency department on February 7.
“NSW Police were notified and contact was made with the patient’s family, but all attempts by (Western Sydney Local Health District) to contact the person were unsuccessful,” a spokesperson said late on Tuesday.
“(The) district expresses our sympathies to the families and the victims of the confronting and deeply distressing incident in Merrylands.”
Leaaetoa did not face Parramatta Local Court as his matter was called on Wednesday morning, when his Legal Aid lawyer indicated there would be no bail application.
He was already facing charges for an unrelated assault matter that will return to court on March 4.
Leaaetoa, who is charged with murder along with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, will remain behind bars until at least May 13.
His lawyer asked that a Tongan interpreter be made available.
Police allege the 25-year-old stabbed two people inside a high-street shop and the third outside the venue.
The accused attacker fled on foot but was soon arrested in a nearby street.
A 38-year-old man was declared dead at the scene, while a 47-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man remain in hospital.
A peak body for psychiatrists has defended mental health clinicians, who it said supported people through crisis and recovery under incredibly difficult circumstances.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists encouraged careful, accurate and sensitive reporting and public discourse of such incidents.
“The vast majority of people living with mental health conditions are not violent,” NSW branch president Ian Korbel said on Wednesday.
“Suggesting otherwise contributes to stigma, increases fear, and can discourage people from seeking treatment and support.”
On Tuesday, forensic police were seen entering and exiting a Nepalese grocer and a corridor leading to an accounting firm and training qualification organisation.
A knife about 25cm long was used in the stabbings, police said.
“The alleged offender is known to police for petty crime and a number of mental health incidents,” Superintendent Simon Glasser told reporters on Tuesday.
“He’s not linked to the address (where) he was located, however he is a local to the area.”
Police did not find a relationship between the victims and were treating the attacks as random.
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beyondblue 1300 22 4636
–AAP
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