State Prosecutor Gerrit Roberts started Day 3 of the pre-sentencing hearing of the remaining three accused in the Krugersdorp murders case by saying he will not go through the whole argument but will only read some of it.
He said it is clear from the evidence that the families of the victims were all traumatised and the extreme gruesomeness of the crimes had a major impact on them.
“The seriousness of the offences far outweighs the personal circumstances of the accused,” said Roberts.
He explained that the scheme – that human beings could contemplate doing such things to other humans – is difficult for ordinary people to comprehend..
When asked by Judge Ellem Jacob Francis if they did not do it because they thought they were doing it for God, Roberts said the fact that they said they did it for God was more aggravating and almost blasphemous.
Roberts read from other cases, questioning the remorse of Cecilia Steyn, Marcel Steyn and Zak Valentine.
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#KrugersdorpMurders — Remaining three accused to hear their fate today
He said that Marcel’s change of heart was merely a ploy. The psychologist was of the view that Marcel could be rehabilitated through long-term therapy and drug intervention. Roberts explained that even while serving in prison,
Marcel could be afforded these therapies and interventions.
He explained that the group’s spoils were extremely small in comparison to the drastic steps they took to get the money. Over a six-month period, they had plenty of time to reflect on their crimes.
“This is the most serious crime people can be convicted of in our country, you can’t take it back,” Roberts said.
He submitted that as per their pre-sentencing reports, Cecilia Steyn and Zak Valentine showed no remorse.
When talking about Valentine, Roberts he said that he had failed to put any version forward and then gave a version – a far-fetched one – that differed from the one he gave at his bail application. He was one of the few privileged people to have a wealthy and stable life in this country and had a successful career.
Judge Francis asked if Valentine was a good person at one time, and whether he really believed the lies about the orphanage.
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Roberts said that Valentine is highly intelligent, and the fact that he was gullible cannot count in his favour, and can never be a motive to kill other people. He should have questioned the events.
Judge Francis said that he would have expected Valentine to come to court and explain everything if he was truly brainwashed. When Mikaela (his wife) said she was not happy about what the group was doing, Valentine told her to pray about it and instead of doing anything, he ran to Cecilia and told her about Mikaela’s doubts.
Roberts then moved on to reviewing Cecilia Steyn. He said that despite her only having a Grade 9 pass, she had still managed to manipulate countless adults.
He said that she showed no remorse by her blatant denial of everything.
Judge Francis asked if Cecilia was being sarcastic when she remarked that he should call on God to testify. He explained that courts should have a thick skin for uncalled remarks.
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Roberts went on to say she did not only destroy the victims’ lives but also those of some of the witnesses, and some of them had had to go into hiding.
He said she did not shy away from using minors like Marcel and Le Roux for her murderous plans.
“The evidence has shown that Cecilia’s character is such that she should be removed from society,” stated Roberts.
Moving on to a discussion of Marcel Steyn, Roberts explained that they must think about Marcel before she turned eighteen and after.
Regarding the two murders she was convicted of committing before she turned eighteen, Roberts said he had read about previous cases where minors were sentenced and their upbringing and age could not be used as an excuse for their heinous crimes. Roberts mentioned the Griekwastad murder case and said that the culprit there was sentenced to jail time.
Proceeding with the crimes committed by Marcel after she turned 18, starting with Joan and Peter Meyer’s murders and later the ‘appointment murders’, Roberts said that the relevant prescribed sentences are applicable and that no compelling evidence had been given to show otherwise.
There was a time where no crimes took place and Marcel had a chance to distance herself from the group. She applied to study, of her own accord, which shows she no longer thought Cecilia was ‘spying’ on her private life.
She was no longer an innocent youth, she was a seasoned criminal and even took part in several instances.
She showed remorse, but not for the victims. She seemed remorseful about the fact that she was involved in the crimes.
Judge Francis asked what he should make of the fact that she is kept separate from Cecilia, and what that would mean.
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Roberts explained that coming clean at a very late stage would have resulted in Cecilia or her mother, Marinda Steyn, turning on her. He went on to say that her confessions came at a later stage, and do not show remorse for the crimes she was involved in. They show that she regrets not coming clean earlier on.
He said that it might be that she has now realised that telling the truth would be a good ploy to get some sympathy.
Judge Francis questioned whether Marcel had not had an opportunity to come clean when one of her teachers showed concern for her weight loss and dropping school marks.
Roberts went on to explain that Marcel’s admission did not amount to an acceptance of guilt.
Judge Francis wanted to know whether, if Marcel had co-operated and taken a plea deal, her sentence would be similar to that of her brother, Le Roux, who is currently serving 15 years in prison.
Roberts said that was true, and that she had had plenty of opportunities to take a plea deal.
To read more on this weeks procedings, click here:
#KrugersdorpMurders – remaining three to learn their fate this week
#KrugersdorpMurders – Pre-sentencing starts with social worker’s testimony
#KrugersdorpMurders – Cecilia Steyn says judge should call on God to testify
#KrugersdorpMurders – Steyn children’s dad had enough and said their mother could take them
#KrugersdorpMurders – Psychologist details Marcel’s sad and disturbing upbringing
#KrugersdorpMurders – Psychologist believes Marcel can reintegrate into society
#KrugersdorpMurders — State Prosecutor doubting psychologist’s report?
