On April 4, the couple accused of being involved with the murder of Gert Hitzeroth appeared in Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
During the previous hearing on March 28, accused number one faced a charge of murder.
According to the State, he is accused of causing the death of Hitzeroth by beating him with a baseball bat and drowning him in the pool. The accused pleaded not guilty.
The second accused faced two charges. The first charge against her is for defeating the ends of justice, in which the State alleged she hid the murder weapon from police and cleaned up the blood of the deceased. The accused pleaded not guilty to this charge.
The second charge against her is a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm as an accessory. The State alleged she became an accessory to this crime by opening the gate of the property for the first accused to get outside and assault the deceased.
The defence claimed they had no knowledge of the second charge brought against the second accused. The State claimed they did notify the defence of the charge during disclosure but could not bring proof of when this was done.
The presiding officer asked the defence to deliver admissions, but the defence had not prepared admission, indicating an agreement with the State for joint admissions.
• The matter has been postponed to commence for trial on three separate days on June 13, June 27 and July 5.
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