Marthinus Pelser (23), who is accused of the murder of his six-month-old son, Deon, will have to wait a bit longer, as his case was postponed so that an analysis of his writing can be conducted.
Pelser appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court via an audio-visual remand system on 30 January, and his matter was postponed to 23 February. The accused allegedly left a note for his wife after his son was murdered. The note has been used as evidence in court.
The accused will testify on the audio-visual remand system, which is used to reduce the risk of ferrying accused prisoners to and from court.
Pelser’s son was found dead in his cot with a fractured skull and multiple burn wounds on 11 June last year. When the baby’s mother arrived home, she alleged that she found Pelser exiting the bathroom with a knife.
When she hurried to check on her baby, Pelser fled in the couple’s Kia Picanto. He evaded arrest until 15 June when a woman spotted his car at a Sasol garage on Christiaan de Wet Road and immediately informed the Honeydew police.
The community showed its support last year by attending the court case dressed in white shirts. A Facebook page, Justice for Baby Deon and a petition against awarding bail, were also initiated.