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Marthinus Pelser, 22, who stands accused of having murdered his six-month-old baby boy, Deon, was denied bail in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on the morning of 17 October.
After reviewing the case thus far, Magistrate Baloyi said the applicant, Pelser, had failed to prove that exceptional circumstances exist for bail to be granted or that it would be in the interest of justice for him to do so. He said Pelser was deemed a flight risk, that he feared the community would take the law into its own hands and that the deceased child’s mother, Bianca Rothman, feared for her life should Pelser be released.
Baloyi said the Defence’s claim that the State’s case is weak was a “blunt statement”, since they could not tell why. Although Pelser showed no emotion throughout the proceedings, Advocate van Rensburg, his legal representative seemed despondent when the judgement was handed down. He indicated that he would not pursue the matter of bail any further.
Although against court protocol, cheers could be heard from the public gallery when the magistrate denied the bail application.
Rothman, the baby’s grandmother Linda, and the founder of the Justice for Baby Deon Facebook group all emotionally hugged each other outside the court and the general sentiment was that of relief.
The trial has been set for 11 November with Magistrate Delize Smith presiding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ47Pz91kHo&feature=youtu.be
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