Video: Bail battle intensifies in Jayden-Lee Meek case as final arguments heard
Tiffany Meek is due back in court on Tuesday for final judgment on whether she will be granted bail.
The defence and state in the Tiffany Nicole Meek (31) bail hearing presented their final arguments in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court today.
Roodepoort Record reports that the state prosecutor argued no evidence or indication that slain Jayden-Lee Meek (11) had friends or knew anyone at Swazi’s Place who he could have visited on the day he went missing.
Meek has been in custody for 14 days and is facing charges of murder, crimen injuria, and defeating and obstructing the ends of justice.
The prosecutor stated that Meek’s affidavit and bail application are dubious and disingenuous, as all available evidence points to her.
“The applicant is the cause of Jayden’s death, and having done so, she went on to conceal her actions by reporting him as missing, knowing well that she had caused harm in her unit,” the prosecutor said.
“She then accused the transport driver as a suspect and had his whole place searched, and she dragged Jayden’s body to just a few metres outside her said unit,” the prosecutor added, summarising the charges.
The state maintains it has provided sufficient evidence linking Jayden-Lee’s death to the accused.
“The applicant’s affidavit is based on ‘what ifs’ and she is throwing wild speculations that don’t address the matter at hand,” the prosecutor continued.
Citing substantial facts, the applicant’s behaviour, and circumstantial evidence, the state argued that bail should be denied.
Regarding Meek’s personal circumstances, the prosecutor described her as a flight risk.
“The applicant only gave one address, and it was a very distant one. This was not requested – she volunteered it herself.
“Her father does not have a permanent residence, and he may lose it, as there is no lease agreement in place. This means she would not have a stable address.”
The prosecutor added that if Meek relocates to another province, it would place an additional burden on law enforcement in KZN.
“The applicant is also aware that she stands a chance of being harmed. We need to remember that she is facing life imprisonment.”
The state further raised the following concerns:
- She may evade trial.
- Her release may disturb public order, peace and security.
In response, Meek’s defence attorney, Noven Naidoo, argued that the state does not have sufficient evidence to keep her in custody.
He cited contradictions in timelines and issues with key exhibits.
“No murder weapon or clothing items have been seized. The exhibits found in my client’s unit were not there on May 14 and 15, and various people had access to the unit from May 13 until the funeral,” he said.
Naidoo also claimed that sniffer dogs were taken into another flat.
“In that unit, a pillow and human bodily fluid were found. If my client were truly a suspect, what stopped police from breaking down the door or requesting a spare key?”
He emphasised Meek’s innocence and described her as a first-time offender, a breadwinner, and not a flight risk.
The matter has been postponed to Tuesday for final judgment.
@caxton.jhbwest 𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓: The defence lawyer in the Tiffany Nicole Meek case, Noven Naidoo, is currently presenting his final bail application arguments to the state. He is claiming that the state doesn’t have enough evidence against the accused. #CaxonLocalMedia #Fyp #Journalist #RoodepoortRecord #fleurhof #courtappearance #roodepoort #Murdersuspect #JusticeforJayden #JusticeForJaydenLee #truecrime #truecrimesouthafrica #truecrimesa
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Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
