The rape and murder trial for Chanelle McCrawl came to a grinding halt on Monday as her alleged murderer is now considering a plea agreement with the State.
Carlo de Kock went on trial at the Cape High Court for the murder and rape of his 10-year-old niece in 2017, and also faces kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice charges.
On 19 October 2017, the Manenberg girl was reported missing when she failed to arrive at school.
The next day her body was found wrapped in a curtain in shopping bag at a river near her Audrey Court home.
De Kock and neighbour, Stanton Mano, were arrested.
The State later dropped the charges against Mano while DNA evidence allegedly linked De Kock to semen found on Chanelle’s school pants.
Monday presiding judge Yahyah John Hlophe said the matter was serious, but he failed to understand why the defence’s plea statement was not yet completed.
VICTIM: Chanelle McCrawl, 10
“I recommend to go to the counselling chambers and have a discussion. Proper consultation must take place in respect of the 105 application (plea statement),” he said.
He warned De Kock to cooperate with defence attorney Andre Botman and to dress properly when attending court before postponing the matter until 11 March.
Outside court ouma Gertrude Basson expressed her frustration at yet another delay after waiting five months for the trial date.
“I am tired of the postponements. We hear he wants to plea, but we want him to stand trial so he can tell us what happened to Chanelle,” said the granny.
“We can’t have closure until we know what happened to her and what evidence they found.”