Court hears of Kotzé's stepson's wounds
2012-11-26 19:43
Pretoria - The stepson of alleged "Modimolle Monster" Johan Kotzé had died of fatal gunshot wounds to his head and chest, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard on Monday.
Bela-Bela pathologist Dr Camillus Molulu, who performed an autopsy on the 19-year-old Conrad Bonette, testified that Bonette had a bullet wound in his one knee and wounds in his head and chest.
The shot in his head had entered on his right upper lip, went through his brain and lodged in the upper left part of his skull, from where shrapnel was removed and handed over to the police.
The chest wound had entered on his right breast, went through his lungs and heart and lodged in the muscles of his left shoulder.
Molulu said both wounds were fatal.
The head wound would have caused Bonette's instant death and the wound in his chest would have resulted in his death within minutes.
Both bullets had been fired from further than 60cm, as no gunshot residue could be found around the wounds.
The two fatal wounds had both been fired from a lower level with an upwards tract, while the shot in the knee had been fired from above, with a lower exit wound.
Kotze, Andries Sithole, Pieta Mohlane and Frans Mphaka are accused of murdering Conrad Bonette and kidnapping, repeatedly raping, assaulting and attempting to murder Kotzé's former wife Ina Bonette.
Bonette last week testified that Kotzé had sawn off both of her nipples during a prolonged torture session, after which the other three accused had taken turns to rape her.
She could hear her son begging Kotzé for his life before she heard three shots.
DNA expert Lieutenant Colonel Carin Botha testified that no semen or DNA could be found on any samples taken from Bonette.
Botha testified that there were several possibilities why semen could not be found on the victim or any of the other exhibits, including the victim urinating, the alleged rapist using a condom or no sex taking place.
The period between the incident and the samples being collected could also have played a role in why no semen could be found.
Kotzé's three alleged accomplices all claimed they had simulated sex with Bonette because they were afraid Kotze was going to kill them, but had not raped her because they could not get erections.
The trial continues.
- SAPA
