A 37-year-old man accused of murdering a Rockingham social worker on Saturday night has appeared in court.
Shannon Scott Westerman Smith has been charged with the murder of 50-year-old Jacqueline Lynn Francis.
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READ NOWMr Smith appeared in Rockingham Magistrates Court, represented by a duty lawyer, and was remanded in custody.
He will next appear on Monday, October 15 at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court.
Magistrate David Maclean said he had received a report from Graylands Hospital and that Mr Smith fulfilled the criteria for a hospital order.
Mr Smith appeared calm as the magistrate read the charge.
“Yes, I do understand that charge,” he said.
Ms Francis’ three children were outside the court before Mr Smith appeared.
Her daughter said her mother was “very caring in the community”.
Ms Francis is understood to have driven herself to the Dome Cafe on Rockingham Esplanade seeking help on Saturday night after being injured elsewhere.
She was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth with alleged stab wounds to the neck but later died.
The Dome cafe will remain closed until tomorrow morning.