Siblings' alleged killers granted bail
2013-02-06 08:19
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Johannesburg
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Johannesburg - Two men accused of the brutal murder of two
siblings in Northcliff were released on bail by the Johannesburg Magistrate's
Court, The Star newspaper reported on Wednesday.
Kenneth Schroder, 53, and Paul Mundel, 39, were each granted
bail of R15 000.
Siblings Gary Smith and Karen Buchanan were murdered in
their home in March 2008. They were bound, gagged, had their teeth pulled out
and darts thrown at them. Buchanan was raped. Both were shot.
The accused are facing charges of murder, rape, robbery with
aggravating circumstances, and possession of a firearm.
According to The Star, magistrate Paul du Plessis said the
two were not flight risks and there was minimal risk they would interfere with
witnesses.
Du Plessis acknowledged the crimes were serious, but said
"justice was not done on emotions but on the confines of the law".
He questioned the credibility of the witness who blew the
whistle on the two accused in December, despite the murders being committed
five years ago.
"[The question] is when, how and why these allegations
were made if it could lead to a [successful prosecution]. The credibility of
the witness must be regarded as suspect, and at worse, described as untruthful."
Schroder and Mundel were ordered to report to their
respective police stations from Monday to Saturday as part of the bail
conditions.
- SAPA
