GRAAFF-REINET | ABERDEEN — Judgement in the case against an Aberdeen man accused of murdering his girlfriend Brenda Finnis and local farmer Schalk Featherstone in December 2015 has been postponed after a power failure in Grahamstown last Thursday left the judge with insufficient time to finalise his verdict.
Unfortunately, the judge is involved in a civil case this week, so judgement and sentencing will only now be delivered on Monday, March 13.
During the first week of the trial at the High Court, a “trial within a trial” emerged concerning the admissibility of certain evidence procured by the State.
The defence disputed the following evidence submitted by the State: The Pointing out, where Captain Van Der Merwe from Somerset East took the accused back to Glen Loch to point out what happened; and that the accused’s confession was not done voluntarily and he was not of sound mind at the time. Arguments were heard and on the Friday the two Advocates wrapped up their statements. The judge then ruled against the defence, and the evidence was admitted.
Provided that there are no further delays, the verdict and sentencing will be reported in full in next week’s edition of the Advertiser.
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