Mercy plea for ‘troubled’ killers

THE defence representative in the trial of four gang members from Worcester, who have been convicted of murder, pleaded with the high court yesterday to view them all as individuals and to show them mercy.

“The law is clear and the court is well equipped to decide what is best for society, but I plead with the court to see them as individuals with different personas,” said defence advocate Johan van Aswegen.

During sentencing proceedings of the four co-accused – Clayton Swartz, Henwil Wolhuter, Jerome Bosman and Isobore Links, all members of a Worcester gang, the Young Red Criminals (YRC) – Van Aswegen detailed the circumstances they had found themselves in prior to their arrest on charges of murder 18 months ago.

Presiding Judge Gayaat SalieHlophe had convicted all four on two counts of premeditated murder with aggravated circumstances, dealing in drugs, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The four were convicted for the murders of Mitchell Lackay and Deswill Coetzee, whose bodies were found in shallow graves between Villiersdorp and Worcester.

Van Aswegen argued the four were a product of an impoverished and gang-ridden society, and pleaded with the court to consider that in sentencing.

He told the court about their upbringing, levels of education and family situations, such as YRC leader and founder Swartz’s “fruitful” life, which saw him father six children, three of whom were four years old.

Van Aswegen said that harsh sentences would be a win for the State and the police, but urged the court to consider what was best for them and the community.

“Have mercy on them I beg. Punish them in such a way that they are not left without hope.”

Judge Salie-Hlophe responded that the four had committed the ultimate injustice of taking life.

“It does not take sophistication or education to know that,” she said.

Judge Salie-Hlophe said the submissions made by both counsels would be considered before sentencing, which was scheduled for today. – ANA