10 July 2024

Alleged ANU stabber Alex Ophel committed to Supreme Court for trial

| Claire Fenwicke

Alex Leonard Ophel, 24, pictured in a screenshot. Photo: YouTube.

Alex Leonard Ophel has been committed to the ACT Supreme Court for trial over several charges relating to a 2023 incident at the ANU.

Ophel has previously pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder and common assault, as well as one charge of possessing a weapon with intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm on grounds of mental impairment.

His committal to the Supreme Court had been delayed numerous times due to the need for expert reports.

Ophel appeared via video link on Wednesday (10 July) for his committal to the higher court, breathing heavily throughout the brief hearing.

The attempted murder and weapon possession charges were committed to the Supreme Court for trial, while the common assault charges were transferred as related charges.

His matter is next scheduled for mention on 17 July.

Mr Ophel remains remanded in custody.

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He’s accused of stabbing two women multiple times and assaulting two men with his fists or with a frying pan at the ANU campus on 18 September 2023.

The two women needed to be taken to hospital, one with critical injuries.

Mr Ophel was aged 24 at the time of his alleged offending.

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