Sentencing proceedings postponed for convicted murderer
Sentencing proceedings in the matter involving a Helenvale man convicted on a litany of charges, including murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, were put on hold yesterday as no court interpreter was available.
Walter Williams, 22, was convicted on Monday on 10 charges including contravening the prevention of organised crime act in that he was found to be an active member of a criminal gang known as the Nice Time Bozzas (NTB).
Port Elizabeth High Court acting judge Sureshni Moodliar found Williams guilty of shooting and killing Richard Marius Stuurman in the early hours of
December 10 2018 at a house in Kobus Street, Helenvale.
He was further found guilty of the attempted murder of three other people the day before when he opened fire while walking in Anita Road.
In that incident Williams shot at a state witness who was to testify in a case against an alleged fellow gang member.
The witness escaped unscathed while two teenagers, aged 13 and 16 at the time, sustained gunshot wounds to the hand and stomach.
Both fully recovered from their injuries.
Throughout the trial Williams maintained that he was not a member of a gang, but admitted that since he was incarcerated at the St Albans Correctional Facility he had joined the notorious 26 gang.
Yesterday state prosecutor Rafiq Ahmed informed the court that there was no interpreter available to assist during aggravation and mitigation of sentencing, and asked Moodliar to postponed the matter to today.
Moodliar granted the postponement.
The state is expected to call a police official and a family member of Stuurman to testify in aggravation of sentencing.