Boeremag lawyer may quit
2004-03-02 16:21
Pretoria - A dispute about the fees paid by the Legal Aid Board to one of the defence advocates in the Boeremag treason trial may lead to his withdrawal from the case, the Pretoria High Court was told on Tuesday.
Piet Pistorius, who acts for several of the 22 treason trial accused, told the court he had launched an application against the board on Monday, but only expected judgment on Tuesday next week.
"The judgment could have an affect on the trial and my clients. There is a strong possibility that I might have to withdraw," he said.
Judge Eben Jordaan said he "shuddered" to think of the possibility that Pistorius and attorney Paul Kruger might withdraw from the trial.
The judge said if judgment in Pistorius's application "went wrong", he wanted to see Pistorius, Kruger and counsel for the State in chambers to discuss what could be done.
The court also heard that one of the accused, Dr Lets Pretorius, would launch a new bail application in the High Court on Monday next week.
The treason trial has been postponed to March 19 to accommodate not only the interim applications, but also to give a new LAB appointed defence advocate for accused Tom Vorster time to study the record of proceedings.
Vorster's previous legal representative withdrew earlier from the trial for health reasons.
- SAPA