The Joshlin Smith trial resumes today as the court expects the State to present its roadmap for the main trial following the judge’s ruling on the admissibility of statements by two accused.
The judge ruled that the out-of-court statements made by Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are admissible in the Joshlin Smith trial.
Final arguments in the trial-within-a-trial are expected as the court decides whether Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn’s alleged confessions were made voluntarily.
Day 30 of the Joshlin Smith trial saw continued cross-examination of Steveno van Rhyn, with the state and judge scrutinising his version of alleged police torture and forced confession.
The Joshlin Smith trial continues on Day 30 with further cross-examination of Steveno van Rhyn as the court weighs the admissibility of his contested confession.
Day 29 of the Joshlin Smith trial saw Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn offer starkly different accounts of police abuse and confession fabrication during their testimony in the trial-within-a-trial.
The Joshlin Smith trial continues today with Jacquen Appollis expected to face further cross-examination as the state challenges the credibility of his shifting testimony.
Day 28 of the Joshlin Smith trial saw Jacquen Appollis take the stand to challenge his alleged confession, but under cross-examination, inconsistencies in his testimony were exposed by the State and the presiding judge.
Judge Erasmus is expected to hear final arguments today on whether the accused’s confessions will be admitted as evidence in the main trial.
Day 27 of the Joshlin Smith trial featured the final cross-examination of Captain Philip Seekoei and renewed focus on Kelly Smith’s medical condition, with the trial-within-a-trial nearing its end.
Captain Seekoei’s cross-examination is expected to conclude today, with final arguments in the trial-within-a-trial likely to begin as the court decides on the admissibility of key confessions.
Day 26 of the Joshlin Smith trial focused on the cross-examination of Sgt Fortuin and Captain Seekoei, with the defence challenging the legitimacy of Steveno van Rhyn’s alleged confession.
Day 25 of the Joshlin Smith trial saw intense cross-examination of Sgt Fortuin over the police’s interrogation strategy, setting the stage for today’s focus on Captain Seekoei and the admissibility of key confession videos.
Day 25 of the Joshlin Smith trial focused on the cross-examination of Sgt Fortuin, with defence probing procedural flaws and police conduct during the alleged confessions of Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn.
The Joshlin Smith trial continues in Cape Town as police testimony on how confessions were obtained from two accused faces scrutiny in the court’s bid to determine the admissibility of key statements.
The Joshlin Smith trial resumes with cross-examination of Captain Phillip Seekoei over a contested confession, as the court weighs whether statements from the accused were obtained lawfully.
Day 23 of the Joshlin Smith trial focused on video recordings of alleged confessions by Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, exposing disturbing claims about Joshlin’s disappearance and Kelly Smith’s alleged role.
Day 23 of the Joshlin Smith trial resumes with cross-examination of Captain Seekoe, as the court focuses on the admissibility of video-recorded statements made by Steveno van Rhyn amid concerns over poor audio and incomplete transcripts.
Day 22 of the Joshlin Smith trial featured the state’s video evidence of Steveno van Rhyn’s alleged confession, which was criticised by the judge for missing crucial content and poor audio quality.
Day 22 of the Joshlin Smith trial will focus on video evidence of Steveno van Rhyn and Jacquen Appollis’s confessions, as Colonel Clark returns to the stand to verify how the interviews were conducted.
Day 21 of the Joshlin Smith trial focused on questions over Ayanda’s role, challenges to the credibility of detention records, and testimony that scrutinised how confessions were obtained from the accused.
Day 21 of the Joshlin Smith trial continues with cross-examination of Brigadier Leon Hanana, as the defence challenges whether confessions by Jacquen and Steveno were made voluntarily or under duress.
Day 20 of the Joshlin Smith trial revealed new information from Brigadier Leon Hanana and concluded Captain Lombard’s testimony amid allegations of torture against two of the accused.
Day 20 of the Joshlin Smith trial will continue the trial-within-a-trial to determine whether statements by Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were made voluntarily or under coercion.
Day 19 of the Joshlin Smith trial revealed for the first time that Phumza Sigaqa, once an accused, is now a state witness linked to key claims about Joshlin’s disappearance.
Day 19 is expected to focus on the legality of the police’s interview methods, especially concerning whether the suspects were properly informed of their rights before making statements. This will set the stage for a trial-within-a-trial, scheduled to begin next week.
Captain Lombard’s shocking testimony was so incriminating, Kelly became ill and was rushed out of the courtroom. Here’s what happened on Day 18 of the Joshlin Smith trial.
The Joshlin Smith trial continues on Day 18 with more testimony expected from the lead investigator following shocking revelations about Kelly Smith’s statements to police.
On Day 17 of the Joshlin Smith trial, Lourentia Lombaard faced further scrutiny over inconsistencies in her testimony, while a police investigator revealed shocking statements made by Kelly Smith about her missing daughter.
With cross-examinations still ongoing, today’s proceedings will likely see further scrutiny of Lombaard’s testimony, particularly regarding her timeline of events on 18 and 19 February 2024.
