Judge reviews South Africa’s ‘Bonny and Clyde’ evidence in the Monte Murder
JOBURG - Palm Ridge Magistrates' Court was packed as Judge Delize Smith reviewed the evidence set before her in the ‘body in the boot’ case.
Suspects Jean-Pierre Malan and his ex-girlfriend Maruschka Robinson, dubbed South Africa’s Bonny and Clyde, have had their judgement postponed until 26 June this year.
The alleged drug dealer and his ex-girlfriend, a former stripper, stand accused of murdering and defrauding widower, Dustan Blom, on 22 September 2013. In her review of the State’s evidence, Smith brushed aside contradictions in the State witnesses’ testimonies as immaterial and insubstantial in the face of the evidence which she has had to consider.
Blom’s body was discovered in 2013 by security guards at Montecasino, who had complained of a foul smell coming from the boot of what later turned out to be Blom’s vehicle.
Police were alerted, and Malan along with then-girlfriend, Robinson, were arrested and placed under police custody.
According to reports released during court proceedings, Robinson met Blom while working at The Lollypop Lounge, a popular strip club, after the death of his wife. Within months, the former stripper was living rent-free in Blom’s house.
While living with Blom, Robinson and boyfriend Malan allegedly drugged the victim and kept him in a constant state of sedation while stealing thousands of rands from him.
Malan and Robinson have pleaded guilty to multiple charges of fraud, but both suspects blame the other for Blom’s murder.
Robinson maintained that Blom was asphyxiated by Malan, who in turn maintains that he was only called in after Robinson had given Blom an overdose of chemical substances.
Smith is expected to hand down judgement on 26 June this year.
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