WATCH: Alberton murder-accused couple face further delay with court postponement
The prosecutor told the court that they handed over copies of the case docket to the defence lawyer and that the State is ready to proceed.
The high-profile Alberton murder case, in which Susan Gillian Murray was killed, returned to the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on June 20.
Murray’s decomposed body was found dumped in Alberton North in November 2023.
The accused are Werner Jack Schoeman (42) and Delichia Bekker (43). Schoeman (accused one) and Bekker (accused two), who were dating at the time, lived with Murray on Oribi Street in Verwoerdpark.
Bekker, Murray’s daughter, is accused of involvement in her mother’s death and was arrested days before Schoeman. He was later arrested while hiding in South Hills in 2023.
Their case has faced multiple postponements since their arrests. However, since June 4, the State has maintained that it is satisfied with the evidence in the docket and the charges brought against the accused and is ready to proceed with trial.
On June 4, the court postponed the matter for ‘disclosure’.
Disclosure, common in criminal and civil matters, refers to a process where the prosecution shares all relevant evidence and documentation with the defence. This ensures fairness and transparency and allows both sides to fully prepare for trial.
At the June 20 court hearing, Schoeman and Bekker’s defence lawyer confirmed that they had received all the relevant evidence and documentation contained in the case docket.
@albertonrecordThe high-profile Alberton murder case, in which Susan Gillian Murray was killed, returned to the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on June 20. Murray’s decomposed body was found dumped in Alberton North in November 2023. The accused are Werner Jack Schoeman (42) and Delichia Bekker (43). Schoeman (accused one) and Bekker (accused two), who were dating at the time, lived with Murray on Oribi Street in Verwoerdpark. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za
However, the defence requested a postponement until July 15 to allow for further consultation with the accused. The court granted the request.
Schoeman and Bekker face charges of murder, fraud, and assault, and they remain in custody until their next appearance.
The State reiterated that it is ready to proceed and confirmed that the missing J88 form had been emailed and would be included when copies of the docket are provided to the defence.
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