JUDGMENT in the trial of a minibus taxi driver accused of killing 10 children after he jumped a level-crossing and was hit by a train will be delivered on December 12.
Western Cape High Court judge Robert Henney told the court yesterday that closing arguments in the trial of Jacob Humphreys, 55, would be heard on December 9.
He is expected to hand down his verdict three days later on December 12.
Relatives of the 10 victims, who wore T-shirts bearing images of the faces of the children, said they were relieved that the case was finally over and they hoped for justice.
Humphreys has pleaded not guilty to the murders. He exercised his right to remain silent. He is currently out on R20000 bail.
The crash on August 25 last year killed Liesl August, 11; Cody Erasmus, 15; Jody Phillips, 13; Reece Smith, seven; Nolan February, 13; Michaelin de Koker, 11; Jason Pedro, 14; Nadine Marthinissen, 16; Jeane-Pierre Willeman, 13; and Jade Adams, 10.
Postmortem reports showed that the children died from multiple injuries or head injuries suffered in the crash.
Humphreys testified this week that he had no recollection of the accident, at the Buttskop level-crossing, which happened before dawn on August 25 last year.
"The minibus was last checked about two or three months before the accident. Nothing was wrong with it."
Humphreys did not dispute that he had previously slipped through the boom. He also said he had been involved in two previous accidents in the vehicle.
During the trial, Judge Henney told defence lawyer Johann Engelbrecht it was common sense for a driver to wait in line behind other vehicles at a red light.
"There's no need for you to see the lights," he said. "You are in a long queue of cars in front of you, then you accept, you wait your turn. It's common sense."
Sighs of relief were heard throughout the court as Henney postponed the trial and adjourned the court. - Sapa
Date set for judgment in trial of driver over deaths of 10 kids
JUDGMENT in the trial of a minibus taxi driver accused of killing 10 children after he jumped a level-crossing and was hit by a train will be delivered on December 12.
Western Cape High Court judge Robert Henney told the court yesterday that closing arguments in the trial of Jacob Humphreys, 55, would be heard on December 9.
He is expected to hand down his verdict three days later on December 12.
Relatives of the 10 victims, who wore T-shirts bearing images of the faces of the children, said they were relieved that the case was finally over and they hoped for justice.
Humphreys has pleaded not guilty to the murders. He exercised his right to remain silent. He is currently out on R20000 bail.
The crash on August 25 last year killed Liesl August, 11; Cody Erasmus, 15; Jody Phillips, 13; Reece Smith, seven; Nolan February, 13; Michaelin de Koker, 11; Jason Pedro, 14; Nadine Marthinissen, 16; Jeane-Pierre Willeman, 13; and Jade Adams, 10.
Postmortem reports showed that the children died from multiple injuries or head injuries suffered in the crash.
Humphreys testified this week that he had no recollection of the accident, at the Buttskop level-crossing, which happened before dawn on August 25 last year.
"The minibus was last checked about two or three months before the accident. Nothing was wrong with it."
Humphreys did not dispute that he had previously slipped through the boom. He also said he had been involved in two previous accidents in the vehicle.
During the trial, Judge Henney told defence lawyer Johann Engelbrecht it was common sense for a driver to wait in line behind other vehicles at a red light.
"There's no need for you to see the lights," he said. "You are in a long queue of cars in front of you, then you accept, you wait your turn. It's common sense."
Sighs of relief were heard throughout the court as Henney postponed the trial and adjourned the court. - Sapa
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