JJ Peters is to spend his third Christmas behind bars without knowing yet what his fate will be.

Peters again appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Tuesday, November 5, for presentencing, but the matter was postponed to January 22.

He pleaded guilty on October 1 for murdering his grandmother, Sannie Strydom Kilmister (68), with whom he had been staying, on February 28, 2022.

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Peters’ case has been delayed by repeated postponements such as technical glitches and the presiding judge being on sick leave. After that, his Legal Aid representative requested the court allow Peters to undergo a mental assessment. On one occasion, his attorney did not show up for a hearing.

During his plea, Peters told the court how he had killed his grandmother, after being influenced by one of his friends. At the time, he said he is aware what he did is against the law and that Kilmister had died because of his actions.

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Kilmister was found dead in her bedroom on February 28, 2022, with various bruise marks on her neck and blood on her pillow.

Peters did not deny that his intention was to kill her and said he was prepared to accept whatever punishment the court decided. He also said he regretted his actions.

Peters has been kept in police custody since he had abandoned his bail application during his third district court appearance on March 16, 2022.