The bail application hearing for 22-year-old Marthinus Pelser is under way and a Record journalist is tweeting live from court.
The proceedings were adjourned for a short break a little while ago, but here is what has happened so far:
- Court adjourned for a short break
- Reason for the copies: So we can make progress in this case
- Magistrate asking them to make copies of the statement and show them to the defence
- Supporters in shock as they hear of the injuries
- Cause of death is multiple blunt force injuries
- White baby with multiple fractures and rib injuries
- State: Read the first page of post-mortem
- State moving on to post-mortem
- IO: Body of the baby facing downwards with bruises on it
- Next image: IO: On the baby’s back there are bruises
- The skin was removed from baby’s face
- IO: Face of the baby facing upwards with wounds on it
- IO: I saw a photo of a baby sleeping on his side with scars on the face, neck and back
- State: What have you seen in the pictures?
- Magistrate will allow State’s question
- Defence objects on grounds that he could not cross-examine on the pictures
- State: Were any pictures taken?
- State taking over cross-questioning
- IO: I am not the author of the document. Defence standing down
- State objecting that accused’s attorney is repeating himself
- Supporters showing anger at the attorney’s cross-questioning
- Attorney: Then you cannot testify about it
- IO: I did not write the document
- Attorney: Sir you did not write the information on the document
- Attorney: You are not the author of the document; you do not know where it came from
- Petition being brought before the court
- Attorney asking to see the petition
- Attorney: You cannot give numbers because you did not open the Facebook page
- Accused’s Attorney: Lady sitting in court was the author of Baby Deon Facebook page
- Attorney: How many people signed the petition, do you know Facebook?
- Petition to deny bail being mentioned once again
- IO: The community showing anger towards the accused
- IO: He could not tell him that because he was in custody
- Attorney: Has the accused ever told the Investigating Officer his life might be at risk?
- IO: The accused’s life and that of his ex would be at risk should he be released
- IO: No, as the safety of the accused is his concern
- If the court confined accused at a certain address would it be suitable?
- Statement made by the accused’s wife is evidence but there was no doctor
- Accused’s ex-wife told investigating officer the accused has assaulted her before statement
- Pelser was not seen by a medical doctor concerning these wounds
- Showing he might be a danger to himself
- Investigating officer (IO) does not support bail because the accused had cuts on his wrist & neck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9OGIEiEhwA&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlfohx4dSDE&feature=youtu.be
Also Read:
• Update: Father of deceased baby still missing
• Update: ‘Never push a man to violence’ – father’s Facebook post
• Update: Father allegedly attempted suicide
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