Joshlin Smith trial: 2 accused claim they were tortured into admitting they had her sold
Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn, who stand accused alongside Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, claim police forced them to confess.
Joshlin Smith's mother, Kelly Smith (R), and co-accused Jacquen Appolis and Stevano van Rhyn are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking. Picture: Carlo Petersen/EWN.
SALDANHA BAY - Two of the accused in the trial related to missing girl Joshlin Smith said they were tortured into admitting they sold the child.
Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, and her co-accused – Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn – are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking related to the little girl’s disappearance.
But Appollis and Van Rhyn said police forced them to confess.
In their plea explanations before the court on Wednesday morning, the accused again denied involvement in the alleged crime.
Attorneys for Appollis and Van Rhyn told the court their clients were tortured by police before being arrested.
In Appollis and Van Rhyn’s plea explanations, the State police officers handcuffed and hung them in mid-air.
The two accused claim the officers then placed plastic bags over their heads before proceeding to assault them.
Appollis and Van Rhyn claim they eventually confessed to being involved in Joshlin’s disappearance because they feared they would be killed.
The trial continues in the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay multi-purpose centre.