The trial of Reinhardt Leach, accused of murdering Vicky Terblanche, has been remanded until Wednesday in the High Court in Gqeberha. This comes as the state began calling witnesses as it lays out its case. Leach stands accused on eight charges related to the murder of his girlfriend, Vicki, in 2021. The state alleges the
The trial of Reinhardt Leach, accused of murdering Vicky Terblanche, has been remanded until Wednesday in the High Court in Gqeberha. This comes as the state began calling witnesses as it lays out its case.
Leach stands accused on eight charges related to the murder of his girlfriend, Vicki, in 2021. The state alleges the accused was hired by Vicki’s estranged husband, Arnold Terblanche, to commit the murder.
Leach has entered a guilty plea on four of the charges against him, including conspiracy to murder. The state will have to prove his guilt in the remaining four charges including murder and robbery.
Terblanche has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
The court heard witnesses recount the events leading up to the discovery of Vicki Terblanche’s body. The first witness of the day, Police Captain Sherwin Walsh, testified that after following up on information, a member of the canine unit found her body buried in a 40 cm deep grave.
Walsh further testified that evidence was also recovered at the couple’s home at Westview Village and a hair sample was also found in the boot of the suspect’s vehicle. Two more police officers recounted their version of events in court following Walsh’s testimony.
Police detective Francois Fillies was the last to testify. He recounted how Leach denied being the last person to see Vicki alive, pointing the finger at his two friends, Dylan Cullis and Mario de Ridder.
According to Fillies, Leach then led them to the home of Cullis, who was promptly taken to the police station for questioning. At the station, Fillies says Cullis gave a confession of his version of the murder, confirming that Vicki had been buried.
Cullis then led the police detectives to an area between Lakeview Road and Seaview Road where the body was ultimately discovered.
Dylan Cullis pleaded guilty to his involvement in the murder in 2023 and is serving an 18-year sentence.
Reporting Sisipho Ngcumbe
Original Story by www.sabcnews.com
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