Joshlin Smith trial expected to conclude this week
Presiding Judge Nathan Erasmus aims to make his judgment on Friday.
Joshlin’s Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, alongside her two co-accused, Stevano van Rhyn and Jacquen Appollis, appears before the Western Cape High Court sitting at the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose centre on 6 March 2025. Picture: Carlo Petersen/EWN
CAPE TOWN - The Joshlin Smith trial is expected to reach its conclusion this week, with legal teams set to start making their final arguments on Monday.
Presiding Judge Nathan Erasmus aims to make his judgment on Friday.
Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith - her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and his friend Steveno van Rhyn, are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking for the little girl's disappearance.
The state and defence attorneys for the accused are expected to make their final arguments in the Joshlin Smith trial on Tuesday and Wednesday.
READ: Joshlin Smith's mom opts not to testify after judge dismisses application for charges to be dropped
Last week, Judge Erasmus gave legal teams strict instructions to prepare their final arguments for this week.
He told state prosecutors and lawyers for the accused that he would take Thursday to make his decision before handing down judgment on Friday.
Before adjourning the matter on Thursday last week, attorneys for Kelly Smith and van Rhyn made section 174 applications for the court to withdraw the charges against them.
After Erasmus dismissed the applications, all of the accused opted not to testify.
Attorneys for the accused also indicated they would not be calling any witnesses to testify.