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Franziska murder charges dropped against three men

Rape and murder charges have been dropped against three of the men arrested in connection with last year’s murder of Franziska Blöchliger in Cape Town’s Tokai forest.

Howard Oliver‚ 28‚ is now the only person charged with the murder and rape of the 16-year-old‚ who was killed while jogging. He was denied bail on Wednesday at Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.

The prosecution withdrew murder‚ rape and robbery charges against Jerome Moses‚ Jonathan Jonas and Daniel Easter. They are now charged with receiving and possession of stolen property — the teenager’s cellphone.

They pleaded not guilty to these charges and their case was adjourned to February 17. Oliver will face a high court trial in Cape Town in March.

At the four men’s last court appearance‚ in December‚ Oliver’s lawyer filed an affidavit in which he said Jonas killed Franziska on March 7.

Monique Carsten also questioned why the state was eager to forge ahead with the case‚ saying there were a number of DNA reports outstanding. By Wednesday‚ however‚ she said investigating officers had the results of the tests.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said the state decided to charge Oliver “based on the evidence they have”.

Carsten said a legal aid lawyer would take over Oliver’s case because he had run out of money to pay her.

A post-mortem found that Franziska was strangled and sustained blunt force trauma. She was found naked and on her knees‚ and police said she was strangled with a bra and T-shirt.

 

TMG Digital/The Times

 

 

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