Advocate Barbie sedated

2010-02-12 14:21

Pretoria - The court case of Cézanne Visser, also known as "Advocate Barbie", was postponed on Friday after she was sedated by doctors.

A pale, dejected-looking Visser appeared briefly in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

Her advocate Johann Engelbrecht told the court he could not guarantee that the proceedings "would take place in her presence".

Engelbrecht said Visser had to be taken to the Pretoria East Hospital's emergency room on Thursday night. A psychiatrist there had wanted to admit her for treatment.

Engelbrecht said Visser would be on medication for another two or three weeks.

Visser "passed out" and slept after visiting the hospital on Thursday night. The medication may have the same effect on her on Friday, said Engelbrecht.

Visser's mother, Susan Lemmer, with the permission of the court, sat next to her daughter stroking her arm during her brief court appearance.

Psychologist Micki Pistorius earlier this week testified that Visser, who has so far kept a tight reign on her emotions, would crack once the trial was over and would need extensive therapy.

Acting Judge Chris Eksteen postponed the trial to February 22.

- SAPA