Leigh: Moodley won't testify

2005-07-19 07:19

Yvonne Beyers

Johannesburg - The alleged abductor and murderer of Leigh Matthews, 21, will not testify himself at his trial or call a single witness to testify in his defence.

This decision comes in spite of the 47 witnesses who might testify for the State against Donovan Moodley, 24.

In addition, prosecuting advocate Zaais van Zyl SC, Gauteng deputy director of public prosecutions, said the charge sheet will be changed before Moodley's trial starts in the Johannesburg High Court next Monday.

This means more accused might be involved in the case, further charges might be added or some of the charges against Moodley might be scrapped, the State might amend its version of the murder of Matthews or the list of witnesses might be adjusted.

The preliminary charge sheet states that Moodley is charged with murder, abduction, extortion and robbery with aggravating circumstances, and that he is the sole accused.

"I have absolutely no comment at this stage. If everything goes according to plan, the case will begin on Monday - the rest is still uncertain," said Van Zyl.

"[Moodley] will be asked to plead and after that we'll have to see what happens."

Moodley's attorney, Jonathan Minnie, said Moodley will not give an explanation of plea and the case will probably take "a few weeks". He confirmed that the defence will call no witnesses and that Moodley will not testify in his own defence. "He is glad the case is eventually coming to trial. He will finally have his day in court," Minnie said.

Moodley, a student at Bond University in Sandton where Matthews was also a student, was arrested on October 4 last year after Matthews disappeared on July 8.

The post-mortem found Matthews had been shot once in the back of her head, once in her neck and twice in the chest. She would have turned 22 this month.

- Beeld