The case against the Alberton murder-accused couple, Werner Jack Schoeman (accused one) and Delichia Bekker (accused two), returned to the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on July 25.

Schoeman and Bekker face charges including murder, fraud, and theft. Bekker, Murray’s daughter, is accused of involvement in Susan Gillian Murray’s death and was arrested days before Schoeman, who was caught hiding in South Hills.

Defence witness, Cheslin John, in previous testimony claimed that he was forced to make a statement against the Alberton murder-accused couple. John is an inmate at Boksburg Prison (the same prison Schoeman is held at) on a separate case, and testified that the previous investigating officer (deceased) allegedly forced him to make a statement against the couple, which he did. John’s testimony prompted the prosecutor to call for a ‘trial within a trial’.

@albertonrecord

Werner Jack Schoeman (accused one) and Delichia Bekker (accused two) are accused of involvement in the murder of Susan Gillian Murray, who lived in Verwoerdpark, Alberton at the time of her death. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

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A ‘trial within a trial’ is a separate procedure held during a criminal trial to determine the admissibility of a disputed confession or admission. The main trial will be temporarily paused so the court can hear evidence specifically limited to the circumstances under which the statement was obtained.

The State has to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the confession or admission was made freely and voluntarily.

At the July 25 proceedings, the expected ‘trial within a trial’ did not go ahead as planned.

The prosecutor handling the case was not present at court, prompting the presiding magistrate to postpone the case to August 26.

Schoeman (accused one) and Bekker (accused two) remain in custody.

ALSO READ: Defence witness claims he was forced to become State witness in Alberton murder trial