Cellphone expert could swing case

Franziska accused in dock

POLICE investigators are bringing in a Pretoria expert to compile crucial cellphone evidence needed to try four men for the murder and rape of 16year-old Franziska Blöchliger.

This emerged in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court yesterday where the men – Howard Oliver, Jerome Moses, Jonathan Jonas and Daniel Easter – appeared in connection with the murder charges.

While the State did not give further details on what the cellphone evidence entailed, it had emerged that Franziska’s stolen iPhone led police to the four accused.

The expert is to conduct cellphone mapping, which determines the path which a cellular device travelled via records of SIM card activity and the locations of base towers triggered.

According to prosecutor Renee Uys, cellphone mapping takes roughly six weeks to be finalised.

It is the only outstanding evidence in the investigation before the matter can be enrolled for trial.

Uys said the director of public prosecutions was still in the process of deciding where the trial will be held.

However, it is likely the matter will be transferred to the Western Cape High Court.

Outside court, Moses and Easter tried to avoid the media and objected to being photographed although they had no choice but to leave the building through the front exit.

Easter used his jacket to cover his head and told journalists his photograph could not be taken because he had not been paid.

Franziska’s body was found in Tokai Forest in March.

She had gone for a jog and was supposed to meet her mother and sister at a point not far from where she was found.

A post- mortem indicated she died as a result of suffocation caused by having her face pressed against the ground, and being throttled.

Her wrists had been bound, she had inhaled sand, and there was congestion of her internal organs and a ligature around her neck, along with signs of strangulation.

Only Oliver allegedly has been linked to the crime via DNA, but it is the State’s case that Franziska’s injuries were so severe that he could not have acted alone.

Moses, however, has denied involvement and hinted “possible video footage” and witnesses could prove his whereabouts at the time of the murder.

Easter admitted, in an affidavit, he bought Franziska’s iPhone, but denied knowing it had been stolen.

The accused are to appear in the magistrate’s court again on July 28.

PICTURE: MICHAEL WALKER Jerome Moses is one of the men accused of raping and murdering Franziska Blöchliger.

The second murder-accused, Daniel Easter.