Two Highway femicide cases due back in court this week

TWO cases of suspected femicide are both due back in court today (Monday, 21 September). 

State vs Gregorowski

Former jockey, Graham Gregorowski, who has been charged for the alleged murder of Janet Scott, is set to appear in the Durban High Court on Monday morning with the dates for the continuation of his trial having been set as resuming on the week beginning 21 September. 

Scott, 54, was found dead in Gregorowski’s bed in a cottage in Shongweni on the morning of October 15, 2016.

ALSO READ:  Forensic expert: “I have never seen such injuries on a single victim”

The state’s case will resume from where it left off in March, with evidence being led by state prosecutor,  Adv Krishen Shah.  The case was last heard in March, shortly before lockdown began, and was plagued with delays due to loadshedding taking place.

ALSO READ:  “I’m sorry, I don’t know what I did,” murder trial witness quotes Shongweni jockey accused of murder

In March, the man accused of killing Scott was represented by Adv Trisha Marisa Moonsamy, but according to Shah, Gregorowski dismissed Moonsamy in March which is what caused the trial to grind to a halt.  This is not the first time the trial has been delayed by the accused dismissing his legal counsel.

ALSO READ: Jockey murder trial to resume in September

The family of Scott as well as witnesses now anxiously await to see if the trial will continue, almost four years after Scott’s death.

State vs Ridgway

In an unrelated case,  a musician, Charles Ridgway who is out on bail after being charged with the alleged murder of Kloof granny, Jenny King, over 18 months ago, returned to the Pinetown Regional Court for a pre-trial conference on July 30.

At the short appearance, he was instructed to return to court on Monday, 21 September, for a decision to be made about where the case will continue. 

In July, when Ridgway last appeared at Pinetown Magistrate’s court, a small crowd gathered to show solidarity with victims of gender-based Violence (GBV).

ALSO WATCH: Murdered Kloof grandmother’s family and supporters stage protest against GBV

Jenny King was found dead in her Forest Hills home in the early hours of Saturday, 12 January by her daughter, Lee-Anne King.

King’s family said they have been told the decision whether to continue at Pinetown Magistrate’s Court or to move the case to the Durban High Court, will be made on Monday.

ALSO READ:  Kloof grandmother’s murder trial postponed again

Ridgway, and his representatives have chosen not  to make any statement to the Highway Mail despite being given opportunities to do so.

When asked about the direction of the case, NPA spokesperson, Natasha Kara said it was still due to continue on Monday as planned.

“According to the Prosecutor, the matter was adjourned to 21 September 2020 for the State to reply to the defence request for further particulars,” said Kara. 

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader,

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments.

As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol.

A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).

At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.  

 Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts. Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.