The man dubbed the New Year’s Eve killer, who allegedly murdered his 25-year-old ex-girlfriend, Danel Rooskrans, on Sunday, 31 December 2017, has been found fit to stand trial.
Rooskrans was brutally murdered in a house on Venus Street, Toekomsrus, on New Year’s Eve. She was the mother of a toddler and a baby.
Read the initial article here: JUST IN: Woman beaten to death on New Year’s Eve
The Herald has been informed by a reliable source that the man in custody was sent to Sterkfontein Hospital for a psychiatric assessment and has been found fit to stand trial. He has also since been taken back to jail.
On 9 February 2018, the suspect appeared in the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court. Nita Barnard, the State Prosecutor, appeared on behalf of the State, while Advocate Amanda Nel, who also handled the 2017 Ray Leslie case, in which Leslie murdered his ex-wife, appeared on behalf of the suspect.
When Rooskrans’ ex-boyfriend entered the court, he did not make eye contact with anybody. He sat on the bench, with his hands covering his eyes. Previously he also just kept on frowning.
Also Read: #NewYearsEveMurder: Danel’s killer makes first court appearance
Prosecutor Barnard asked that the case be postponed until 19 March, but it is unclear what the exact outcome of the court case was. It is said that further instructions will come from the High Court, where the case will be tried given its nature.
It was made clear that the initial bail application has been abandoned; however, the suspect can apply for bail at any stage in the future.
The Herald will keep its readers updated as the case proceeds.
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