National
Modimolle monster found guilty─── 13:51 Mon, 15 Jul 2013
Pretoria- The so-called Modimolle monster, Johan Kotze, and his three co-accused Andries Sithole, Piet Mohlane and Sello Mphaka were on Monday found guilty of the gang rape of Ina Bonnette, Kotze’s ex wife. They were also found guilty on charges of robbery, kidnapping and assault with the intention of bodily harm.
Kotze and Sithole were found guilty of the murder of Bonnette’s son Conrad.
The verdict was handed down in the Pretoria High Court by Judge Bert Bam. The court is set to adjourn again at 8.30 am on Tuesday for sentencing arguments.
Kotze’s lawyer, Piet Greyling argued last week that Kotze should be acquitted of the charges as he was in a state of disassociation on the day of the incident. This after the defence psychologist said Kotze had a narcissistic personality disorder and suffered from stress and depression.
Judge Bam disagreed with this argument, finding the attack to have been pre-meditated. Bam said Kotze knew exactly what he was doing on the day. The judge also dismissed earlier claims by Kotze that he had tried to rescue Bonnette from the situation as “unrealistic, unbelievable and laughable.”
Kotze’s co-accused claimed they had been forced to co-operate with Kotze in the rape and torture of Bonnette, according to the testimony of the three, Kotze had threatened to kill them if they did not co-operate. They also testified that they only pretended to rape Bonnette.
Bam said in his judgement that the facts of the case did not support the claims made by the co-accused. Bam noted that the co-accused had several chances to escape the scene, but did not take them. He said it would be logical that somebody in such a situation against their will would do all they could to escape. Bam also said the testimonies of accused numbers two, three and four were full of contradictions and improbabilities.
Bam described Bonnette as a good and credible witness.
Bonnette had to undergo reconstructive surgery after the rape and torture session she endured at the hands of her ex husband and Sithole, Mohlake and Mphaka on the 3rd January 2012. Kotze also shot dead her son. Bonnette said she had been forced to listen to her son beg for his life before he was killed.
Bonnette was unwilling to comment after the ruling, but told journalists she is overwhelmed and feels good.
SaBreakingNews
Kotze and Sithole were found guilty of the murder of Bonnette’s son Conrad.
The verdict was handed down in the Pretoria High Court by Judge Bert Bam. The court is set to adjourn again at 8.30 am on Tuesday for sentencing arguments.
Kotze’s lawyer, Piet Greyling argued last week that Kotze should be acquitted of the charges as he was in a state of disassociation on the day of the incident. This after the defence psychologist said Kotze had a narcissistic personality disorder and suffered from stress and depression.
Judge Bam disagreed with this argument, finding the attack to have been pre-meditated. Bam said Kotze knew exactly what he was doing on the day. The judge also dismissed earlier claims by Kotze that he had tried to rescue Bonnette from the situation as “unrealistic, unbelievable and laughable.”
Kotze’s co-accused claimed they had been forced to co-operate with Kotze in the rape and torture of Bonnette, according to the testimony of the three, Kotze had threatened to kill them if they did not co-operate. They also testified that they only pretended to rape Bonnette.
Bam said in his judgement that the facts of the case did not support the claims made by the co-accused. Bam noted that the co-accused had several chances to escape the scene, but did not take them. He said it would be logical that somebody in such a situation against their will would do all they could to escape. Bam also said the testimonies of accused numbers two, three and four were full of contradictions and improbabilities.
Bam described Bonnette as a good and credible witness.
Bonnette had to undergo reconstructive surgery after the rape and torture session she endured at the hands of her ex husband and Sithole, Mohlake and Mphaka on the 3rd January 2012. Kotze also shot dead her son. Bonnette said she had been forced to listen to her son beg for his life before he was killed.
Bonnette was unwilling to comment after the ruling, but told journalists she is overwhelmed and feels good.
SaBreakingNews
