Verdict in cop murder case expected

KNYSNA NEWS - The court judgement of the two former policemen, Aschin Klein and Christopher Moos, and a former reservist, Clint van Rooyen, who stand accused for the murder of a resident in Rheenendal, will be announced on Wednesday, May 27 at the Knysna Regional Court.

The legal trial that has been dragging on for five years, followed the death of Tom Meyer on March 1, 2010 as a result of wounds that he allegedly sustained during his arrest for the illegal possession of dagga on February 27.

Moos alleged that during the arrest, Meyer produced a knife and stabbed him twice in the left arm. A struggle ensued between Moos and Meyer during which both landed on the ground. Moos eventually gained the upper hand and managed to load and lock Meyer in the back of the police van.

It is alleged that when Moos arrived with Meyer at the Knysna Police Station, Moos, Klein and Van Rooyen assaulted Meyer in the quad behind the police station. Two days after his arrest, Meyer died while still in police custody.

The three have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, denying that they assaulted Meyer. Moos is being represented by John Gillespie, Klein, by Daan Dercksen and Van Rooyen, by Zwaai Kruger. Herman Buhr is the presiding regional magistrate and Reinette de Waal is the prosecutor, representing the state.

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