Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - More than a year after Heleen Annandale (62) was found murdered in her Mossel Bay flat last September, the matter has finally reached the trial stage and will continue in the Mossel Bay Regional Court next July.
The accused, a 39-year-old man, made a brief appearance in court on Tuesday 10 November, for a plea and trial conference, when the State and the defence confirmed they were both ready to proceed to trial.
The State says it intends to call five witnesses, while the defence will only call one.
Mossel Bay Police arrested the accused 48 hours after Annandale’s body was found. Her car was later found abandoned in KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay.
The accused was initially charged with murder and theft of a motor vehicle.
The court heard on Tuesday that the victim and the accused had allegedly been involved in a romantic relationship and that a third charge of rape had been added to the charge sheet.
During some previous appearances, the State and the defence were granted time to discuss the possibility of having the accused’s sentence reduced, should the case reach sentencing.
If convicted, he would face the minimum sentence of life imprisonment for a case of this nature.
The matter was remanded to 19 July. The accused, who was previously denied bail, will remain in police custody until then.
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