‘Baby killer’ sentencing is delayed
THE family of 9-month-old Caswell Joseph (CJ) Frans, neglected and killed by his foster mother Priscilla Morris, have been informed that the plea and sentence proceedings would take a few more court appearances before finalisation.
Last week, the family left court with a sense of hope when they learnt that the State was in the process of negotiating a plea deal with the 40-year-old woman that would see her admitting guilt.
CJ’s remains were discovered on December 20 last year after Morris had allegedly assaulted the little boy, placed him in a plastic bag and buried him in a shallow grave in Vrygrond.
Yesterday, State advocate Evadne Kortje came on record with Acting Judge Constance Nziweni being assigned to preside over the matter, while defence lawyer Althea de Jongh is representing Morris.
A postponement was granted following advocate Kortje’s request to finalise documents, and the matter was set down for next week Wednesday.
Little CJ’s namesake, grandfather Caswell Frans, had hoped he could celebrate his birthday with the conclusion of the plea deal.
Frans, 53, had deposed a victim impact statement earlier in the morning along with CJ’s father and seemed distraught when he spoke to media, but remained hopeful that justice would be served.
“I only found out this morning when we were in the office of the advocate. They told us the matter would be postponed because they only received information today from me as the grandfather and little CJ’s father.
“We do believe that things will work out for the better on Wednesday. We are still seeking a life sentence because I mean a life has been taken and that life is not replaceable.
“It seems she has no remorse for what she did to that little child, so we are just hoping and praying justice will prevail at the end of the day,” Frans said yesterday.
Where Rainbows Meet, a Vrygrond community organisation campaigning to raise awareness of the case, was also looking forward to its finalisation.
Director Mymoena Scholtz said she was disappointed at the delay.
“The crime was committed by Priscilla Morris and it’s frustrating because we didn’t even know which court she was supposed to be appearing in.
“For me, there’s no remorse, I don’t see any remorse on her face or nothing on her. She comes in there like she is some kind of model, and that is disturbing.
“There is no remorse about the crime that she committed, and that is really upsetting for me as a person attending court every week and looking at her face, seeing that there is no guilt in her face,” Scholtz said.
Morris is charged with murder, child abuse and child neglect after she was seen dragging little Caswell by the feet, throwing him on the floor, choking him with her hands around his neck and throwing water in his face.