A MAN accused of being a serial rapist and murderer will know today if the confessions he made to the police are admissible.
He has claimed in a trial within a trial that he was persuaded by the police to admit to the crime.
Last week, Thabang John Mohorosi told the Bloemfontein High Court through his lawyer, Sunnette Kruger, that he did not make a confession or point out crime scenes to the police freely, but that he was influenced.
He claimed that the police asked him to confess to the four rapes and murders in return for his freedom.
Acting Judge Neil Snelleburg granted a trial within a trial to determine the admissibility of the confession and pointing out the crime scenes last week.
Mohorosi is facing four charges of rape and four of murder.
It is alleged that he went on a raping spree between May 2010 and April 2011. Four women, including a 15-year-old pupil, were found raped and murdered, allegedly by him.
He said after his arrest last year Captain Mthunzi Dasheka had told him he would be granted bail only if he agreed to point out the crime scenes.
"I knew nothing about the crimes. Dasheka said I should cooperate and he would arrange bail for me. He said if I wanted to spend time with my family I should do the pointing out and admit that I am a serial killer," Mohorosi said.
Three police officers testified that Mohorosi had volunteered to do the pointing out as well as a confession statement he made before a magistrate. They said they did not know about the crimes until Mohorosi told them where he had allegedly raped and killed his victims.
Magistrate Riana Botha also testified that Mohorosi was brought to her on May 23 last year where he made a confession. She said she asked Mohorosi if he had been coerced and convinced by anyone to confess, he said no one had influenced him.
Kruger argued that the pointing out and confession should not be admitted as evidence.
"Police showed him scenes and told him to accept that he had killed the victims. He knew nothing about the crimes," said Kruger.
Prosecutor Silas Chalale said the evidence against Mohorosi was overwhelming.
"Police did not know about his role in the crimes until he coughed out during his arrest. He volunteered to participate in the pointing outs and later made a confession before a magistrate," said Chalale. -ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
Court to rule on serial killing case confession statements
A MAN accused of being a serial rapist and murderer will know today if the confessions he made to the police are admissible.
He has claimed in a trial within a trial that he was persuaded by the police to admit to the crime.
Last week, Thabang John Mohorosi told the Bloemfontein High Court through his lawyer, Sunnette Kruger, that he did not make a confession or point out crime scenes to the police freely, but that he was influenced.
He claimed that the police asked him to confess to the four rapes and murders in return for his freedom.
Acting Judge Neil Snelleburg granted a trial within a trial to determine the admissibility of the confession and pointing out the crime scenes last week.
Mohorosi is facing four charges of rape and four of murder.
It is alleged that he went on a raping spree between May 2010 and April 2011. Four women, including a 15-year-old pupil, were found raped and murdered, allegedly by him.
He said after his arrest last year Captain Mthunzi Dasheka had told him he would be granted bail only if he agreed to point out the crime scenes.
"I knew nothing about the crimes. Dasheka said I should cooperate and he would arrange bail for me. He said if I wanted to spend time with my family I should do the pointing out and admit that I am a serial killer," Mohorosi said.
Three police officers testified that Mohorosi had volunteered to do the pointing out as well as a confession statement he made before a magistrate. They said they did not know about the crimes until Mohorosi told them where he had allegedly raped and killed his victims.
Magistrate Riana Botha also testified that Mohorosi was brought to her on May 23 last year where he made a confession. She said she asked Mohorosi if he had been coerced and convinced by anyone to confess, he said no one had influenced him.
Kruger argued that the pointing out and confession should not be admitted as evidence.
"Police showed him scenes and told him to accept that he had killed the victims. He knew nothing about the crimes," said Kruger.
Prosecutor Silas Chalale said the evidence against Mohorosi was overwhelming.
"Police did not know about his role in the crimes until he coughed out during his arrest. He volunteered to participate in the pointing outs and later made a confession before a magistrate," said Chalale. -ntwagaes@sowetan.co.za
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