Relief as charges withdrawn
2008-08-20 13:03
Johannesburg - The parents of Max Brechlin, 18, who was arrested after a classmate allegedly killed a fellow schoolboy with a sword and injured three other people on Monday, have expressed relief after charges against their son were withdrawn.
Brechlin was arrested on Tuesday and charged with conspiracy to murder and possession of a dangerous weapon.
Morne Harmse, 18, also appeared in Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court on Wednesday morning, facing a charge of murder and three of attempted murder. He will remain in custody until his next appearance on August 27.
Both are pupils at Nic Diederichs Technical High School, where the murder occurred on Monday.
Ninjas and swords
According to the Sowetan newspaper, Brechlin was arrested after police discovered a video showing the teenagers dressed as ninjas and brandishing Samurai swords.
Police spokesperson Captain Jacob Raboroko however denied that there was video footage.
"I am not aware of any video. Maybe the investigating officer will have knowledge. At this stage I also do not know why charges were withdrawn against Brechlin," he said.
It was also alleged that Harmse and five of his friends had plotted a massacre at the school, the Sowetan reported.
Brechlin, who appeared calm and smiling in court, was represented by "Bul" van Vuuren. Brechlin's mother, Christa and his grandmother, broke down in court when the charges against him were withdrawn.
Wearing brown jacket with a red lining, Brechlin scanned the room for friends and relatives and acknowledged their presence with a nod. He waved to his mother who sat next to his petite, frail-looking grandmother.
Relief
Outside the court, Max's father Horst told journalists he was relieved the charges were withdrawn. He said the first thing he would do when he returned home was to have a cup of tea and thank Jesus.
Smartly dressed in a striped blue and cream shirt, a blue tie and leather jacket, soft-spoken Horst said: "I know he (Max) would be accepted back to school. They know what kind of calibre he is."
Max's mother Christa said her son felt guilty for not helping stop the incident.
"To the Pretorius family all I can say is I am sorry," she said before getting into a blue Ford.
Memorial service
Journalists were prevented from attending a memorial service held at the school after the court case.
Harmse allegedly arrived at the school on Monday morning with his face painted black and wearing a mask, similar to those worn by US heavy metal band Slipknot.
He then allegedly produced a Samurai sword and slashed 16-year-old Jacques Pretorius across the neck with it. Pretorius died on the scene. Harmse then allegedly stabbed and injured another boy and two gardeners.
Harmse cut a lonely figure in court on Wednesday. He looked small for an 18-year-old, wore a navy jacket and carried a blue plastic bag. He stared straight ahead and did not so much as glance at the public gallery when he was sent back down to the cells.
- SAPA