Dennis Marks, the man who allegedly fatally stabbed Police Sergeant Leonard La Rose while resisting an attempt to arrest him in the North West District of Region One, was yesterday charged with his murder.
Marks, who had been shot to his left leg by a constable during the encounter on March 1st, was lifted into a city courtroom in a chair by several officers as he was unable to walk.
He was brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who read the charge, which states that on March 1st, at Hole, Matthews Ridge, he murdered Leonard La Rose.
Marks was not required to plea to the charge and was subsequently remanded by the Chief Magistrate, who fixed his next hearing for May 3rd at the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
La Rose was stabbed while two other police officers were injured after they went to arrest Marks, who was wanted pending investigations into a report of alleged rape.
Police had said when La Rose and the two constables attempted to arrest Marks, who had been armed with a knife, he attacked them. La Rose was stabbed to his neck and two other ranks were stabbed to their chest and right hand, respectively.
The ranks were all taken to the Matthews Ridge Hospital, where La Rose succumbed to his injuries and police constables Lewis and Schultz were treated and sent away.
