The 20-year-old accused of attacking and killing his 69-year-old grandmother in Bega appeared briefly in the Batemans Bay courthouse today, charged with one count of murder and two counts of wounding with intent to murder.
With cuts on his face and wearing a hospital robe and shorts, Murray Deakin was led into the courtroom for the brief appearance following Friday night’s alleged incident.
As police officers went to lead Mr Deakin out of court, he said: “I’m sorry” — but it was unclear what this related to.
The ABC has learned Murray Deakin had been living with his grandparents, Gail and Thomas Winner, in their East Street home.
Police allege he attacked the couple with a knife on Friday afternoon, leading to a frantic search around the NSW far south coast town.
At about 3:35pm on Friday a passing motorist was flagged down by a 71-year-old man, later identified as Mr Winner.
Witnesses said they saw a man lying on the ground, covered in blood and desperately trying to flag down help.
When emergency services arrived, they found Mr Winner and Mrs Winner, who was critically injured.
She died in hospital after the attack, while Mr Winner is in a critical condition at Canberra Hospital.
Friends of Gail and Thomas Winner told the ABC the couple were kind and that the attack had come as a shock to the small community.
An hour after emergency services became aware of the stabbing attacks, Mr Deakin allegedly tried to steal the car of a 54-year-old man on Sapphire Coast Drive in Bournda, 20 kilometres south of the initial attack.
Police allege Mr Deakin hit the man with a hammer. The man was taken to Sydney’s St George Hospital in a critical condition, but died on Sunday afternoon.
In court today, Mr Deakin did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
Mr Deakin is due to appear in court again tomorrow via video link, when his charges are expected to be upgraded.