Court postpones O’Neill murder case for high court date
O’Neill’s lawyer, Gawie Steyn has withdrawn from the case. He is now being represented by Rikus Stander from Pretoria.
A local man accused of murdering his wife, Phillip O’Neill, remains in custody and will again appear in the Secunda Regional Court on October 6.
O’Neill, cleanly shaven and with a haircut, briefly appeared before Magistrate Graham Cupido in the Secunda Regional Court on Wednesday, September 7.
O’Neill’s lawyer, Gawie Steyn has withdrawn from the case. He is now being represented by Rikus Stander from Pretoria.
The matter was been postponed to October for a trial date for the High Court.
O’Neill is accused of the murder of his wife, Hester O’Neill (49).
In his previous court appearance on July 28, the court heard that the weapon used to kill Hester on the night of June 1, is a firearm O’Neill had obtained while being a police reservist at a local police station many years ago.
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/289791/70-year-old-appears-in-secunda-magistrates-court-for-his-wifes-murder/
The gun was never handed back to the police when he left.
A 9mm short Astra firearm which is licensed and live ammunition were confiscated from the murder scene.
It is alleged that an argument ensued between the couple at their home in Brandspruit Street in Secunda, at about 22:35 that night.
According to police reports, Hester had allegedly told O’Neill she wanted to leave him.
O’Neill made a call to Hester’s friend and said “I shot Hester, you can come to fetch her. Also, bring the police with you.”
The police report stated that she was shot in the back of her neck.
She was certified dead on the scene.
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/293763/court-denies-bail-to-phillip-oneill/
