3 accused plead not guilty in De Vos murder trial

KNYSNA NEWS - The three suspects accused of the murder of Ricardo de Vos (28) have pleaded not guilty.

De Hein Damons, Henry Klaasen and Breyton Samuels appeared in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on 10 September, and the trial was initially scheduled to run over two days, with the witnesses lined up to take the stand next.

However, the state prosecutor in the matter reportedly fell ill and requested that the proceedings be postponed.

The matter is expected to resume in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on 16 October. All three accused remain out on bail.

De Vos was allegedly assaulted during an altercation involving a group of people. He sustained multiple injuries and was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead on 23 February.

While the pleas have left De Vos' family discouraged, his father, Adam (75), said he believes the matter is in God's hands, and that he prays for those involved in the justice system to make the right decisions and reflect on God's commandments.

According to Adam, what happened to his son was unacceptable and should not go unpunished.

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