Accused Garden Route artist Bevan van Druten stands in the dock at the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court during his second court appearance in connection with the death of former detective Anneke “Nicky” van Heerden. Wearing yellow sheepskin slippers, turquoise loose wrap-around trousers and a short-sleeved black top, Garden Route artistBevan van Drutentook to the dock of thePlettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Courton Monday, accused of the murder of former detectiveAnneke “Nicky” van Heerden. Nonchalantly, Van Druten, who alsoappeared gaunt and dishevelled, with long, greying hair pulled back and a thick, unkempt beard falling to his chest,told the magistrate, Zukiswa Hans, in Afrikaans: “I want to apply for a state lawyer.” appeared gaunt and dishevelled, with long, greying hair pulled back and a thick, unkempt beard falling to his chest, This came after prominent Garden Route attorney Carl Jeppe refused to represent the 53-year-old man, a decision Jeppe himself confirmed.
Van Druten was assigned a Legal Aid attorney, while the state withdrew its request to have him sent to a district surgeon for mental evaluation. Hans said she had not been informed of the application and was hearing of it for the very first time. The matter has been postponed to Thursday for Van Druten to bring a formal bail application, which the state is opposing.
Flowers and placards are laid outside the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court in memory of slain former detective Anneke “Nicky” van Heerden. After being struck from behind, former detective Anneke “Nicky” van Heerden’s face was forced into the sand.
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