Johannesburg - The trial of four people accused of setting two girls alight in an apparent satanic ritual was adjourned when one of them fell sick on Thursday.
Courtney Daniels asked to be excused when she started feeling dizzy and nauseous during proceedings at the High Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court.
State witness Jeremy King, 20, was being cross-examined on evidence he had given against Lindon Wagner, Harvey Isha, Robin Harwood and Daniels when proceedings came to a halt to allow Daniels to recuperate.
She returned to the court and asked Judge Geraldine Borchers if the matter could be postponed to Friday as she was still feeling ill. Her legal representative told the court it was not his intention to pressure his client, but said he needed her to stay alert and follow proceedings. Borchers granted Daniels her request.
Kirsty Theologo and her friend, who was 14-years-old at the time, were tied down, had petrol poured on them and were set alight on a hill in Linmeyer, south of Johannesburg, on October 21, 2011. Theologo died in hospital while her friend survived.
The four accused pleaded not guilty to charges of assault to cause grievous bodily harm, murder, and attempted murder.
Earlier, lawyers for Daniels and Wagner were cross-examining King, who turned State witness to obtain a lesser sentence, after he admitted to killing Theologo. He was questioned on the events and conversations that led to the ritual.
When King was cross-examined by Lydia Van Niekerk, for Wagner, he answered mostly with “I don't know” or “I don't remember”.
This led Borchers to ask Van Niekerk to slow down in questioning the witness.
“It seems answers are glibly given, with the witness not taking into account the consequences... ,” she said.
Van Niekerk reduced her pace, continued her cross-examination, and received similar responses.
The matter continues on Friday. - Sapa