WATCH: Alberton murder-accused couple: Magistrate frustrated by transcription delays

The case against the Alberton murder-accused couple, Werner Jack Schoeman (accused one) and Delichia Bekker (accused two), returned to the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on October 14.

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

Transcripts delay judgment

At the court hearing on October 14, the presiding magistrate, Isabella Mlaba, was told that transcripts are still being processed.

@albertonrecord

Outstanding transcripts of the defence’s closing arguments continue to delay judgment in the case against Werner Jack Schoeman and Delichia Bekker. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

♬ Crime, incident scene, mystery, investigation, news coverage, etc.(850898) – Shoya Kitagawa

This comes on the back of an undertaking from court officials during a previous hearing that they would be ready at the next hearing. The transcripts relate to the closing arguments from the defence.

The magistrate previously said she would only be able to hand down judgment when she is in possession of the full court record, which includes transcripts from the defence’s closing, which have not been handed over to her.

She again directed court officials to sort the transcripts issue out as quickly as possible, adding that they should be handed in before the next court hearing so that she can use the few days left to write her judgment.

Judgment is expected to be handed down on October 21.

Schoeman and Bekker remain in custody.

WATCH: Alberton murder-accused couple judgement looming, court told transcripts retrieved