Leigh: Fathers talk

2005-07-28 15:34

Johannesburg - Final arguments in the trial of Donovan Moodley, who has confessed to kidnapping and murdering student Leigh Matthews, will be heard in Johannesburg High Court on Friday.

Moodley's father said the family was devastated and waiting for sentencing.

Moodley and Matthews' fathers were said to have shaken hands and exchanged words after court adjourned.

The court adjourned on Thursday afternoon after the asset forfeiture unit (AFU) issued a confiscating order on Moodley for the R50 000 he received in ransom money from Leigh's father, Rob Matthews.

Moodley will have 14 days to repay the money or the AFU will sell off the assets confiscated from him. These include a Ducati motorbike, a Toyota Tazz and an engagement ring he gave to his fiancé after the murder.

Moodley confessed on Monday to kidnapping, extortion and the murder of Leigh, whose body was found in a field in Walkerville by a grass cutter in July last year.

Top cop 'tired and disappointed'

Earlier, Matthews told the court that Moodley, who was arrested for Leigh's murder on October 4 last year, had conducted himself in a way that no longer gave him a right to life.

Investigating officer superintendent Piet Byleveldt said outside the court he was tired, and disappointed that he did not get to testify.

Defence advocate Johan Pretorius said Byleveldt's testimony was a waste of the court's time because everything had been admitted.

Byleveldt's testimony had been prepared in advance and was more than 100 pages long.

He said, however, that after the sentencing his testimony would be made public.

"It's a pity I couldn't testify. It's a challenge and I love it."

When asked whether Moodley was remorseful, he said he had seen a few tears while Mr Moodley was testifying.

"But I am just a policemen," he said.

- SAPA