WINDHOEK – The trial date will be set next month for the 22-year- old Jeffrey Barman who stands accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death during the birthday party of their four-year-old daughter in November 2012 and of stabbing his cousin in August last year.
Barman appeared in the High Court on Thursday last week when he was informed that his trial had been moved from the Katutura Magistrate’s Court to the High Court.
Barman is facing a charge of murder and attempted murder.
He allegedly cut his 22-year-old girlfriend Melanie Boys’ throat with a broken glass during their young daughter’s birthday party in November 2012 in the Golgotha residential area of Katutura.
Barman’s attack happened in full view of family members and friends attending the party. Boys died in the ambulance on her way to hospital.
Barman then returned to the house and found the Windhoek City Police waiting for him and they pursued him as he attempted to run away. As the police closed in on him, he climbed onto the roof of one of the houses and refused to climb down, but broke his leg after attempting to jump onto the roof of an adjacent house.
It was while out on bail of N$3 000 that Barman stabbed his cousin Albertas Duncan three times – on the left ear and left shoulder in August last year in Katutura. The incident occurred after Duncan punched Barman on his lips. Duncan was hospitalised in the intensive care unit (ICU) for his injuries. Barman is in custody.
By Tunomukwathi Asino