Stabbing suspect denied bail as Mossel Bay court hears of family trauma
The 27-year-old man accused of murdering Barbarians rugby player Leroy Koopman was denied bail this morning.
According to Mossel Bay Advertiser, Na'min October, accused of stabbing Koopman (34) to death with a sharp object, appeared in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court today, when bail judgment was delivered. October faces a charge of murder.
During proceedings, the court heard that Koopman and October were not only neighbours but also once friends.
The stabbing took place in the early hours of June 16, in front of Koopman's grandparents' house in Adriaans Avenue, KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay. October lived across the street from the family.
The court heard that an argument is believed to have taken place between the rugby player and October's older brother before Koopman was attacked. The argument had taken place outside the two homes.
It is alleged October intervened to defend his brother by commanding his dog to attack Koopman, who then reportedly kicked the animal.
It is reported that October's brother was back inside his home at that stage. After seeing the kicking of the dog, October went inside his home and grabbed a knife before returning to Koopman and allegedly stabbing him in the chest.
The court was told that if October were to be granted bail, it would be traumatising for Koopman's widow Janine, the couple's two daughters, Jaylin (7) and Leora (2), and Koopman's son Zayan (13), if October were to return to his home and the Koopman family were to see him every day.
The court was told that Janine and her children were significant factors that led to the decision to deny October bail, as well as the manner in which the incident took place and the fact that Koopman's death has shocked the community.
The case was postponed to July 28 for further investigation. October remains in police custody until his next appearance.
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