Hit-and-run trial set for August
The trial of the man accused of killing Junias Smith (23) with a red BMW in August 2016, and then fleeing the scene of the deadly crash, has been postponed to late August 2018.
Lesley Simwanza, who was 26 at the time of the incident, appeared before Windhoek Magistrate Justine Asino on Tuesday for his scheduled plea and trial.
However, the case could not proceed because Simwanza's former lawyer, Chris Mayumbelo, had been replaced on short notice.
The court was informed by new defence counsel Trevor Brockerhoff that Mayumbelo had retired and Brockerhoff was only informed about the case this week, not allowing him enough time to prepare.
Magistrate Asino postponed the case for plea and trial to 29, 30 and 31 August.
Four State witnesses who had travelled to attend yesterday's court proceedings were instructed to return on the new dates.
Public prosecutor Selma Nekwaya said the State would make full disclosure to the new defence lawyer today.
Simwanza was granted N$10 000 bail in October 2016.
He was arrested around four days after fleeing the scene of the crash on Windhoek's Nelson Mandela Avenue.
At his bail application, police officers said Simwanza was sourcing car parts to fix his battered red BMW when the police tracked him down and arrested him.
Despite a public outcry and a petition signed by members of the public, friends and family, opposing bail, Magistrate Alweendo Sebby Venatius at the time said that the court was not convinced Simwanza posed a flight risk.
Venatius did add that the court had to take into account the public interest in the case, and the petition had been taken into account.
He further noted that Simwanza had not stopped to ascertain Smith's injuries after running him over. He left the scene and failed to report the incident.
“He might have saved a life,” the magistrate said.
JANA-MARI SMITH
Lesley Simwanza, who was 26 at the time of the incident, appeared before Windhoek Magistrate Justine Asino on Tuesday for his scheduled plea and trial.
However, the case could not proceed because Simwanza's former lawyer, Chris Mayumbelo, had been replaced on short notice.
The court was informed by new defence counsel Trevor Brockerhoff that Mayumbelo had retired and Brockerhoff was only informed about the case this week, not allowing him enough time to prepare.
Magistrate Asino postponed the case for plea and trial to 29, 30 and 31 August.
Four State witnesses who had travelled to attend yesterday's court proceedings were instructed to return on the new dates.
Public prosecutor Selma Nekwaya said the State would make full disclosure to the new defence lawyer today.
Simwanza was granted N$10 000 bail in October 2016.
He was arrested around four days after fleeing the scene of the crash on Windhoek's Nelson Mandela Avenue.
At his bail application, police officers said Simwanza was sourcing car parts to fix his battered red BMW when the police tracked him down and arrested him.
Despite a public outcry and a petition signed by members of the public, friends and family, opposing bail, Magistrate Alweendo Sebby Venatius at the time said that the court was not convinced Simwanza posed a flight risk.
Venatius did add that the court had to take into account the public interest in the case, and the petition had been taken into account.
He further noted that Simwanza had not stopped to ascertain Smith's injuries after running him over. He left the scene and failed to report the incident.
“He might have saved a life,” the magistrate said.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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