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No bail for three of Krugersdorp triple murder accused

Three of the four accused in the Krugersdorp triple murder case have been denied bail.

The suspects appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday afternoon for a verdict on their bail applications. Proceedings started late as the court had to wait for their legal representatives to arrive.

 Magistrate Delize Smith had postponed her ruling on the bail applications of Christiaan Kruger‚ 29‚ Leroux Steyn‚ 20 and Marcel Steyn‚ 18‚ until Wednesday in order to consider their statements.

The remaining accused‚ Fabian Luff‚ 32‚ (accused number two) has not yet pleaded‚ nor has he applied for bail. He will remain in custody until the next court appearance.

The four are accused of killing estate agent Hanle Lategan and insurance brokers Anthony Scholefield and Kevin McAlpine during a three-week period in May.

Lategan‚ 52‚ was found dead next to a stream on a farm in Elandsvlei‚ Randfontein‚ on the West Rand on May 31‚ while Scholefield‚ 64‚ and McAlpine‚ 29‚ were found in the boots of their cars in the vicinity on May 10 and 26 respectively.

Smith on Wednesday read out the statements of the accused and was not convinced that they deserved bail.

“Your statements are contradicting each other and therefore by granting you bail‚ you could cause danger to the society.

“You did not bring compelling and exceptional circumstances to the court‚” said Smith.

She also stated that the accused were possibly a flight risk‚ not permanent residents in the area of the court’s jurisdiction and that they had allegedly committed a very gruesome crime.

All of the accused will appear in court again on October 13 for the indictments from the National Director of Public Prosecution.

 The four suspects are all in police custody facing Schedule 6 charges of theft‚ robbery with aggravating circumstance‚ kidnapping and murder.

A Schedule 6 offence means an applicant is required to prove that exceptional circumstances exist and therefore warrant their release on bail pending the outcome of their trial.

 The onus therefore rests on the accused to persuade the court that it is in the interest of justice that he should be released on bail by demonstrating such circumstances that are considered to be out of the ordinary.

It is believed that more suspects may join the four in court soon as the investigation is still under way.

Family members declined to comment despite earlier agreeing to speak to TMG Digital.

 

 

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