In the last minute of Day 3’s pre-sentencing hearing, during the State and the Defence’s closing argument in the trial of the remaining three accused of the Krugersdorp murders, Marcel Steyn asked if she could place something else on the record.
After a short break, Advocate Sharon Johnson, Marcel’s legal representative, explained that Marcel just wanted to clarify some aspects.
First part in this morning’s proceedings:
https://krugersdorpnews.co.za/387584/krugersdorpmurders-state-prosecutor-says-marcel-get-highest-sentence-possible/
The State opposed Marcel’s request to speak to the court.
However, Marcel was permitted to have her say. She said that Le Roux’s plea bargain cannot be compared to her position, because his role was not the same as hers. She feels she should not receive the same sentence as her brother.
She added that she had not only realised that Cecilia had lied, she had also realised the horror of what they had done and felt guilt for their actions.
Marcel also said that during the period when they did not actually commit any murders, they had in fact planned further murders, although they did not go through with them.
Second part of today’s proceedings:
https://krugersdorpnews.co.za/387608/krugersdorpmurders-state-defence-continue-closing-arguments-sentences/
She also added that she was still able to achieve good marks at school even while they were committing the murders, because, as McNab had testified, she could disassociate from what was going on.
She also said that she was not complicit in Marinda’s decision to testify. According to Marinda, God wanted her to clear Marcel and Cecilia’s names and that is why Marinda decided to testify.
Marcel said she tried to convince her mother not to testify and plead guilty, but Marinda said it was God’s will.
State Prosecutor, Advocate Gerrit Roberts, responded by saying that some of what Marcel had said seemed to be new evidence, and if that is the case, it could not be taken into account.
Judge Francis said that he will go back to the transcripts to check what was said, whereupon Roberts reminded him that the court is bound by those transcripts.
Roberts then added that by making this move, Marcel had shown that she had matured, but Judge Francis said that every accused has the right to defend themselves.
Even though it was decided earlier today that sentence was to be handed down, the court adjourned until Monday, 19 August, when the matter will continue.
