The five people currently on trial for baby Zahnia Woodward’s murder have applied to have all charges against them dismissed.
On trial for murder, attempted murder and obstruction of justice are Christopher September, Larry Johnson, Tashwill Kriel, Morne May and Larry’s mother, Mirriam Johnson.
On 30 December 2016, six-month-old Zahnia was shot in the head while sitting on her father’s lap outside their home in Carnation Road, Ocean View, waiting for her mom, Cindy Woodward, to arrive from work.
According to State witnesses, the men in the white VW Golf used in the drive-by shooting were September, Johnson, Kriel and May.
Mirriam Johnson is accused of obstruction of justice after she allegedly tried to get rid of the car.
On Wednesday, defence lawyers brought an application to have their clients acquitted on all charges.
This means at the close of the State’s case, if the court is of the opinion there is no evidence the accused committed the offence, the court may return a verdict of not guilty.
While this is a common practice when the State closes its case, mom Cindy Woodward said the application came as a huge shock to them.
“How can they think they can just walk away from what they did? I am entrusting the justice system to do what is right and I will trust God He will not let them get away with what they did.”
The case continues on Monday.