TWO of the three men charged with the murder of student, Kurtlee Pillay, appeared for their bail application at Durban Regional Court last Friday.
Kurtlee Pillay was brutally killed in an alleged hijacking in Sherwood on the night of Tuesday 4, November. Blaine Raman (20), Dinesh Nana (21) and Bilal Tayob (26) were arrested the following day. The trio have been charged with premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, hijacking and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Magistrate Vanitha Armu heard in an affidavit from Blaine Raman, which was read by his attorney, Anand Nepaul, to support his bail application, that he was intoxicated with alcohol and drugs on the day of the murder. Raman admitted to consuming one and a half bags of cocaine, one bag of cannabis, eight Flunitrazepam tablets, a quantity of mandrax and six ciders on the day of the incident. He also admitted to having had a drug problem since primary school, which he kept secret from his family. Also in the affidavit, Raman requested to be in a fit and proper condition to stand trial and to be sent to The Cedars, a private rehabilitation centre on the South Coast, while awaiting trial instead of Westville Prison.
Dinesh Nana had also submitted a bail application despite previous convictions including possession of dagga, theft of a cell phone and handbag, violation of a protection order obtained by his girlfriend and attempted murder.
The State submitted an affidavit from investigating officer Warrant Officer Krishna 'Monty' Naidoo opposing bail, which said it was in the best interest of the accused to remain in custody. Court heard how the accused showed no remorse, and even sympathised with the family of the deceased hours after the murder.
Co-accused Bilal Tayob (26) had not applied for bail at this stage.
The bail application continues on Thursday, 29 January.
