Delmas High Court postpones trial of Secunda man accused of killing his wife
Phillip O’Neill will again appear in the Delmas High Court on July 17. He is on trial for the murder of his wife, Hester O'Neill, who was killed last June.
Phillip O’Neill, a Secunda man accused of murdering his wife, appeared in the Delmas High Court on June 12.
The judge postponed the matter to July 17.
Phillip stands accused of murdering his wife, Hester O’Neill (49), on the night of June 1 last year.
The weapon was a firearm Phillip obtained while a police reservist at a local police station many years ago. He never handed it back to the police when he left.
The licensed 9mm short Astra firearm and live ammunition were confiscated at the murder scene.
The couple argued at their home on Brandspruit Street at about 22:35. According to police reports, Hester had told Phillip she wanted to leave him.
Phillip called Hester’s friend and said, “I shot Hester. You can come and fetch her. Also, bring the police with you.”
Phillip shot Hester in the back of her neck, according to the police report. She was certified dead on the scene.
Hester’s sister, Catherine van de Merwe, travelled from the Free State to attend Phillip’s court appearance.
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This month marks a year since Hester was taken from her adult children, Chane and Rhene de la Rouviere, her siblings Catherine, Jacques Smit and Christelle Volschenk and her mother, Lettie Smit.
“We want justice to be served and for our family to have final closure,” said Catherine.
She said Phillip should be in jail for life and, if not in jail, in a mental institution.
“He should never walk the streets again,” said Catherine.
Phillip is being evaluated for dementia while on trial.
