Durban — One of two people accused of killing a homeless man in Sydenham is expected to appear in court on Monday for bail judgment.
Andrew Goss, 25, and Shirelle Chaplin, 31, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court last week where Goss abandoned bail.
It is alleged that on August 4, the pair allegedly wrongfully, unlawfully and intentionally murdered Clinton Duncan.
The defence stated that Goss has been receiving psych medication at King George Hospital for the past 10 years while Chaplin was a single mother of three.
Previously, the State had requested Goss to prove he was getting medication by going for a mental evaluation by a district surgeon.
It further stated that granting Chaplin bail would be too risky due to him having no address verification and no appointment of a private attorney, as promised.
Last week, the defence supplied Chaplin’s address to be verified by the State and to be considered for bail.
According to the mental assessment documents seen by the Daily News, Dr Jabulani Mthembu who assessed Goss, said he had to check whether the accused understood the crime he committed.
“I examined Goss to ascertain whether the person who should be committed for observation in respect of his capacity to understand criminal proceedings (in terms of Section 77 Act of 51 of 1977) or for his capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness and act in accordance with such appreciation at the time of the alleged committing of the criminal act in terms of Section 74 of Act 51 of 1977,” said Mthembu.
Mthembu said due to Goss having stated that he was receiving medication for the past 10 years he had to be observed.
In the mental status examination documents, Mthembu said that Goss was paranoid, adding that he said he did the right thing by committing the crime.
“He showed no clear attention to details. His tone of speech is not normal. He seems sad and looks like he is not aware of the environment or oriented to time and place,” Mthembu said.
Furthermore, on August 16, Goss’s attorney withdrew stating that their mandate had been terminated in the matter.
This led to Goss abandoning bail and awaiting the State appointment of legal aid.
Daily News