Samuel Campbell to stand trial in 2023 accused of murder over fatal Cooma stabbing

A man was charged with murder over the stabbing death of a 38-year-old near Cooma last year. Photo: File.

A 22-year-old accused of murder over the stabbing death of a man near Cooma will face a jury trial in 2023.

Samuel Albert Campbell had his first appearance in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday (5 August), where Justice Helen Wilson formally arraigned him on a charge alleging he murdered 38-year-old Nicholas Robertson on 15 February, 2021.

He was also charged with wounding a 19-year-old man with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm on the same day.

Mr Campbell, appearing over audio-visual link from jail, pleaded not guilty to both charges.

NSW Police originally said they had been called to Cooma Hospital about 4 am that February after two men arrived suffering from stab wounds.

The 19-year-old had wounds to his arms and was taken to Canberra Hospital, where he remained stable.

However, Mr Robertson, who had stab wounds to his abdomen, neck and chest, died on arrival.

On Friday, the court heard Mr Robertson’s family were from Sydney, while the 19-year-old lives in Nowra and also had significant injuries.

Andrew Herring, appearing for Mr Campbell, said there was no prospect of a judge-alone trial.

Justice Wilson listed the matter for a three-week jury trial in Sydney starting on 15 May, 2023.