Reporter – Isaac Cloete
Springbok:- The trial of Japie Claassens ( 62) is currently underway at the Springbok magistrate’s court (Northern Cape Division) for the premeditated murders of attorney Coenraad “Coenie” de Beer and farmer, James Kriel.
On October 30, 2023, the victims stopped to sleep at Claassens small holding, near Vioolsdrift, on their way to a holiday destination.
In the early hours of the morning, neighbours reported hearing gunshots.
Claassens is accused of shooting both victims. Both men were critically injured, with severe abdominal wounds, and died at an Upington hospital the following day.
The amended charge sheet includes two counts of premeditated murder and the unlawful possession of 247 shotgun cartridges.
Claassens previously handed himself over to the police and was granted R5,000 bail in late 2023 under specific conditions.
He has remained out of custody during the trial process.
On Tuesday, one of the witnesses of the state testified about the happenings that terrible night.
Claassens was very itchy, irritated while looking to his left hand side instead of to the front, facing the judge. He couldn’t sit straight in the dock, but half sideways.
It seemed as if he was not interested in the court proceedings.
He was busy with some paperwork or documents that fell on the ground at one occasion. He was only (more) attentive when his legal representative was talking to him.
On Tuesday, the defense put the state’s first witness under cross-examination.
The trial will continue till Friday