A long-delayed assault and malicious damage to property case involving Jaén-Lee Pyne finally reached its conclusion as the court found him guilty on both charges after years of stalling and disruptions.

The case stems from an incident on January 21, 2023.

Pyne and his defence attempted every tactic possible to delay the case. However, Magistrate Michael Twala did not entertain any of it.

Over the nearly three-year period, various tactics were used to stall the proceedings, including multiple changes of Pyne’s legal representatives and three recusal applications aimed at removing magistrates from the case.

On November 19, Pyne and his legal counsel returned to court, where the trial began. The defence tried to employ the same pre-trial delay tactics, but Twala refused and insisted that the trial proceed.

As with previous attempts, the defence again tried to postpone the case and even threatened to report Twala to the Magistrates’ Council.

At one point, as a witness was about to begin his testimony, all members of the media were requested to leave the courtroom due to a concern that the testimony might be compromised.

That request came directly from Pyne. When the media were allowed back into the court, it was revealed that Pyne’s attorney was no longer present, having been held in contempt of court, and that Pyne had withdrawn himself from the proceedings.

During this time, the witness testified, and the testimony was accepted by the court officials present.

Twala did not delay in delivering his verdict on the two charges. Pyne was found guilty of both charges and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Attention will now shift to Pyne’s other charges, including murder, attempted murder, and the discovery of a body on a property where he resided.

This trial is scheduled for February in the High Court.

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