WATCH: Alberton murder-accused couple: State confronts inmate over conflicting statements
Cheslin John denies trying to protect accused Werner Jack Schoeman during cross-examination in the Palm Ridge Magistrates' Court.
A defence witness in the Susan Gillian Murray murder case faced intense cross-examination at the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on September 1 over discrepancies in his accounts.
The case against accused pair Werner Jack Schoeman and Delichia Bekker returned to court following the discovery of Murray’s body in Alberton North in November 2023.
Schoeman and Bekker face charges including murder, fraud, and theft. Bekker, Murray’s daughter, was arrested days before Schoeman, who was caught hiding in South Hills.
State challenges prison link
Defence witness Cheslin John, an inmate at Boksburg Prison alongside Schoeman on an unrelated matter, was put on the hot seat by the State prosecutor.
“When asked about your relationship with accused one (Schoeman), you told this court that you did not know him very well,” said the prosecutor. “However, your statement to the investigating officer tells a different story.”
@albertonrecord Cheslin John denies trying to protect accused Werner Jack Schoeman during cross-examination in the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za
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The prosecutor alleged that John’s written statement indicated the two men had previously spent time together in prison, suggesting John was trying to save Schoeman.
Asked for comment, John shook his head and said he had no comment.
Car sale negotiations questioned
John was also questioned about who negotiated the sale of the deceased’s vehicle, with the prosecutor pointing out that his testimony naming a man called Anthony contradicted his written statement identifying Schoeman. Again, the witness said he had no comment.
Anthony was reportedly in a relationship with Bekker shortly before she began dating Schoeman.
The court heard that Anthony disappeared in 2023, and his family are still searching for him.
John’s cross-examination is set to continue on September 2.
Schoeman and Bekker remain in custody.
WATCH: Alberton murder-accused couple: Magistrate rules on admissibility of disputed statement
