JADE WITTEN
Court Reporter
A MITCHELLS Plain man accused of bludgeoning to death an 83-year-old woman at Huis de Kuilen in Kuils River two years ago, has denied any involvement in her murder.
Leevi Adams, 25, who is accused of murdering Nellie Steenkamp on March 19, 2009, testified in his defence in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Adams told the court that he frequented the old-age home because his then girlfriend worked and lived on the premises. He admitted in court that he spent many nights at the home, ignoring a rule that stipulated no partners were allowed to sleep over.
It is the State’s case that Adams bludgeoned Steenkamp to death with a blunt object, and robbed her of her wallet and cellphone.
Police later traced the stolen Nokia and arrested Adams, after it emerged that he had used the cellphone around the time of the murder.
Adams said he was at the home on the evening of the murder, but left when his now ex-girlfriend reported for work.
He went to a nearby sports bar, had a few alcoholic drinks and met three friends. After about two hours, he left and walked to another pub in the area and continued to drink.
Four hours later, as Adams left the second pub, he was approached by three “coloured” men who tried to sell him a Nokia cellphone for R80, he told the court.
“
I offered them R50, they agreed and we made the transaction,” Adams said.
It was later determined that the cellphone belonged to Steenkamp.
Adams said he had no idea about the murder, and the only conclusion he could come to was that the three men who sold him the cellphone were responsible for her death.
After purchasing the cellphone, Adams said he saw it had airtime of R34. He swopped his sim card with that of the newly purchased phone and surfed the internet. This continued for an hour and Adams said he later placed his sim card back in his cellphone.
Prosecutor Juan Crous, cross-examining Adams, suggested that the accused had fabricated his version of events and altered it according to evidence led during the trial.
Closing arguments are expected to be heard tomorrow.