National
Murder accused Jason Rohde focused on family, work - lawyer─── 13:34 Fri, 27 Jan 2017
Stellenbosch - Murder accused Jason Rohde made a brief appearance in the Stellenbosch Magistrate's Court on Friday morning after which it was heard that his focus was on his family and he wanted the case to be wrapped up as soon as possible.
His attorney Daniel Witz, speaking after Rohde appeared in the dock and official proceedings were over, said Rohde was "resolute" and that his focus remained on his family and work.
Witz said Rohde hoped for a resolution in the matter sooner rather than later.
The case was postponed to June 30 for further investigation.
It emerged during the brief court proceedings that certain forensic evidence, from the State's side, was outstanding.
Rohde's bail conditions were also slightly relaxed - extending the period between the times he has to report to the police on certain days.
Death initially thought to be suicide
Rohde, the CEO of Geffen International Realty Franchises, is accused of killing his wife Susan in their hotel room at the upmarket Spier Wine Estate on July 24.
He was released on bail of R100 000 and R1m surety in August.
The father of three said he found his wife dead in the bathroom of their room.
The multimillionaire couple had been attending the Sotheby's annual conference.
Initially thought to be a suicide, an inquest docket was opened until the post-mortem indicated foul play might have been involved.
Rohde commissioned pathological and forensic reports after police opened a murder docket.
These suggested that Susan, 47, had committed suicide.
Argument 'irrelevant'
Rohde's lawyer previously told News24 his client had said he and his wife had woken up together that Sunday morning.
According to him, she had gone into the bathroom and he fell asleep.
When he woke later to prepare for a breakfast talk he was to give at the conference, he was unable to open the bathroom door, he said.
Hotel maintenance was called to help, and Susan was found hanged in the bathroom.
According to the pathologists, her time of death was 05:40 that morning.
His attorney Daniel Witz previously dismissed as irrelevant reports that the two had had an argument at the hotel's bar the night before. Susan allegedly publicly told Rohde she knew he was having an affair.
They got married in 1993 and have 16-year-old twin daughters and an 18-year-old daughter.
