Taperoo stabbing: Adelaide grandmother Caroll Hopkinson claims she acted in ‘self-defence’ when she allegedly murdered her husband
A grandmother allegedly stabbed her husband to death in a desperate act of self-defence after trying to stop him from committing suicide, a court has heard.
Caroll Hopkinson, 58, appeared in Adelaide The magistrate on Tuesday charged the woman via video link from prison with the murder of her husband Simon at their Taperoo home in Adelaide’s west on July 7.
The court heard that Hopkinson, a mental health nurse, called emergency services after allegedly stabbing her husband with a knife during a struggle.
Her lawyer Jeff Powell told the court she woke up that morning to a strange noise coming from the bathroom.
Hopkinson is said to have found Simon, also a psychiatric nurse, trying to end his life. Adelaide Advertiser reported.
Panicked, she ran towards him to get a knife and stop him, but an “aggressive” Simon then turned on her, her lawyer said.
“She understood his response as ‘why are you stopping me from doing something I need to do’. That’s how she interpreted his response,” Mr Powell told the court.
“He took the knife from her and attacked her. She had cuts on her hands from trying to defend herself. There was a struggle and then she grabbed the knife back.”
Caroll Hopkinson, 58, is led away by police officers after her husband is found dead in a home in Adelaide’s west
Simon then attacked his wife, who reportedly stabbed him out of fear for her life.
“It happened in a matter of moments, in a panic, early in the morning and there was no premeditation or planning. She had no idea what was happening in her household when she got up,” Mr Powell told the court.
The court heard she immediately called her daughter and then the police. About 20 minutes later, officers arrived to find her in the ‘unfortunate position’ of having taken her husband’s life in self-defence.
Police allege Hopkinson had bloodstains on his nightgown when they arrived at the scene.
Neighbours were shocked to hear of the deaths, telling The Advertiser that the couple appeared at first glance to be ‘normal, happy people’.
Neighbors reacted with shock to the terrible news, saying the couple seemed like “normal, happy people”
The court heard that Caroll Hopkinson killed her husband Simon (pictured) in self-defence
Mr Powell asked the court to grant Hopkinson bail, saying the “unusual” features of the case meant she posed no danger to the community.
However, prosecutors argued that the seriousness of the charges should warrant the accused woman remaining in custody.
Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal has ordered a report on house arrest and will make a decision on bail next month.
For confidential 24-hour support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.