Lawyer argues 'lack of direct evidence' in ISIS kidnapping case
Closing arguments in the bail application of two people suspected to be behind the murder of an elderly couple have concluded in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court.
Closing arguments in the bail application of suspected ISIS affiliates, Fatima Patel and Safydeen Aslam Del Vecchio have just wrapped up in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court, north of Durban.
State advocate, Adele Barnard and defense advocate Jay Naidoo have both addressed the court.
Del Veccio and Patel are two of three charged with kidnapping, robbing and murdering UK-born botanists Rodney and Rachael Saunders.
They disappeared from the vicinity of the Bivane dam near in Vryheid, in northern KZN in February.
Last month, police confirmed that human remains found in the Tugela river a few days later were Rodney’s.
They are still searching for Rachael’s body.
State advocate, Adele Barnard and defense advocate Jay Naidoo have both addressed the court.
Del Veccio and Patel are two of three charged with kidnapping, robbing and murdering UK-born botanists Rodney and Rachael Saunders.
They disappeared from the vicinity of the Bivane dam near in Vryheid, in northern KZN in February.
Last month, police confirmed that human remains found in the Tugela river a few days later were Rodney’s.
They are still searching for Rachael’s body.
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Naidoo centered his closing arguments on what he has labelled a lack of direct evidence linking his clients to the robbery, kidnapping and murder charges.
He has also indicated that the circumstantial evidence could be challenged at a later stage.
But Barnard maintains that the State has a strong prima facie case against both Patel and Del Vecchio, including cellphone data, video footage and text messages that allegedly implicate the pair.
Judgement is expected later this afternoon.