'Jesus' suspect positively IDed
2006-01-06 09:01
Cape Town - The man who was arrested as the suspected Jesus serial killer and rapist in the farm areas in Philippi was positively identified during an identification parade.
On Thursday the stringy 41-year-old appeared in Wynberg magistrate's court without the usual dark pink balaclava hiding his head and face.
He was neatly dressed and has a moustache. He sat quietly on a chair at the lower end of the staircase to the court while he waited to be called. In the dock he stared straight ahead, not saying a word.
He has initially been charged with four charges of murder and two of rape. He hasn't pleaded yet and may not be named.
Die Burger heard confidentially that more than 10 murders were presently under investigation against the man and that it might be added to the charge sheet later.
Three women identified suspect
The man has already pointed out several places to the team of investigators where murders were allegedly committed in the past six months in the rural areas of Philippi.
An identification parade was held last Tuesday where three women identified the man as the alleged Philippi serial murderer and rapist.
Thinus Groenewald, public prosecutor, requested on Thursday that the case be postponed for further investigation. He said the State was prepared for a bail application but that it would be opposed.
John Vrieslaar, the accused's legal representative, said he had been informed before his client's appearance in court that the State would bring an application that the accused be sentenced to jail immediately because he had violated his conditions of parole and committed the alleged crimes during his parole.
Groenewald confirmed that the State would bring such an application but only when further scenes had been pointed out "as it would complicate matters for the investigative team once the accused is serving a sentence in Pollsmoor Prison".
No onus on suspect to assist State
Vrieslaar said such an application would have to be made in Grabouw as the case on which the accused had been granted parole had been heard there.
According to Vrieslaar the State's delay in bringing such an application was impairing his client's plans to bring a bail application "as it will be unnecessary to apply for bail if he has to serve a sentence for failing to comply with his conditions of parole".
He said there was no onus on his client's part to assist the State in pointing out further crime scenes.
The magistrate, Marietjie van Eeden, said the State had the right to bring such an application and that the accused simultaneously had the right to apply for bail.
"My feeling is that the case should be postponed so both applications can be heard on the same day," she said and subsequently postponed the case to 19 January.