Joshlin Smith: Court rules confessions admissible
The Judge
in the Joshlin Smith trial has ruled that the confessions of two of the accused
can be admitted as evidence following a trial within a trial.
Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn both claimed they were tortured into making the statements before their arrest.
The pair face kidnapping and human trafficking charges alongside Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, following the young girl’s disappearance in February last year.
READ MORE: Joslin's mom admits drug-taking on day of disappearance
Judge Nathan Erusmus made his ruling, in the High Court sitting in the Saldanha Multipurpose Centre, on Thursday afternoon.
Having regard to the evidence led for the admissibility of the statement made by Mr Apollis to Colonel Pretorius, on the 5 th of March 2024, I rule that the statement can be admitted into evidence and be used as evidence in the main trial…
“In so far as it relates to the statement made by Mr Van Rhyn to Captain Seekoei, on the 5 th of March 2024, I rule that it is admissible as evidence in the main trial.”
The main trail is set to resume on Tuesday next week.
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