[Image: Smile FM / Facebook]
Lawyers for co-accused Steveno van Rhyn and Kelly Smith will present their final arguments when the Joshlin Smith trial resumes today (Wednesday).
Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are on trial for the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin, who went missing in Saldanha Bay in February last year.
While defence attorney Fanie Harmse, who represents Appollis, wrapped up his final arguments on Tuesday, the defence for van Rhyn and Kelly Smith will argue for their clients’ freedom.
Smith faces kidnapping and human trafficking charges related to her daughter’s disappearance, but opted not to testify after the judge dismissed her application for charges to be dropped.
They filed section 174 applications for the court to withdraw the State’s case against the two accused, but Judge Nathan Erasmus denied the applications launched last Wednesday after “examining the facts and the application of legal issues related to the case”.
“I am not of the opinion that there is no evidence on which a reasonable court might convict in relation to both of Mister van Rhyn and Miss Smith.”
Following the ruling, all of the accused opted not to testify. The state closed its case yesterday, asking for all three accused to be found guilty on both charges.
Judge Erasmus indicated that he aims to make a ruling on Friday.
You can follow today’s trial via the eNCA livestream below:
