Tokai rape and murder suspect denied bail
ONE OF the suspects in the Franziska Blöchliger rape, murder and aggravated robbery case was denied bail in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The Kalk Bay teen was murdered in the Tokai Forest last year.
Because the charges include rape, the accused may not be identified until he pleads to the charges in the Western Cape High Court in March.
In the proceedings before magistrate Goolam Bowa, the accused was informed of the charges. Four men initially faced the charges, all of which carry life sentences.
At yesterday’s hearing, however, the prosecutor withdrew the murder, rape and robbery charges against the other three accused, and instead charged them with receiving and possession of stolen property: the teenager’s cellphone.
Because these three no longer face rape charges, they may now be identified – Jerome Moses, Jonathan Jonas and Daniel Easter.
The three were transferred to another court where, minutes later, they pleaded not guilty before magistrate Vanessa Miki. Their case continues on February 17. All three were released on bail at earlier proceedings, but Jonas is back in custody in another matter.
Magistrate Bowa said the fourth man, who may not be named, denied the murder and rape charges in the bail proceedings, but said he would plead guilty to the robbery charge.
His indication that he would plead guilty to robbery placed him at the scene of the murder and rape, the magistrate said. – ANA