Stella murder accused bail bid before Christmas
The psychological evaluation of 19-year-old murder accused Xander Bylsma has been delayed due to the unavailability of beds at the Sterkfontein Hospital.
Bylsma is on trial for the murder of 17-year-old Sharnelle Hough and her best friend, 16-year-old Marna Engelbrecht at Stella High School in the North West in May.
Sharnelle's body was found hanging from a rail in the school's hostel while Marna body was found in the bathroom.
A formal bail application was meant to be heard in the high court in Mmabatho on Thursday, but the matter was postponed to December 21 to give the defence more time to prepare.
"Xander remains in police custody but remember that the defence council requested him to go for mental observation, he is still waiting for a bed at the psychiatric hospital," says the NPA's Thembeka Mdadu.
Bylsma pleaded not guilty to the double murder in October.