KEY POINTS
- Lombaard’s remorseful testimony and emotional appeal for Joshlin’s return.
- The trial based its conclusions on testimonies collected from Mickeyla Daniels and Paulina Tshosa which contained essential information.
- Lombaard’s police lie about testimony became a major factor in reducing her statement credibility.
The Joshlin Smith trial moved into its third week on Thursday where important updates were recorded.
Monday: testimonies begin in Joshlin Smith trial
Former accused Laurentia Lombaard testified as the state witness before finishing her chief evidence.
Lombaard confessed her earlier false statements to authorities before showing remorse for participating in the crime.
During the Monday testimony the police department received information from Laurentia Lombaard who overheard Kelly Smith along with Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis planning to sell Joshlin yet Kelly tried to undo the arrangement.
The courtroom witnessed Lombaard emotionally petition for Joshlin’s safe recovery because she feared the child was in mortal danger.
Kelly Smith’s sister Mickeyla Daniels testified to the court as she works as a police constable. Kelly recorded the voice note on February 21, 2024 to declare she would retrieve the child.
According to Daniels she observed Kelly Smith talk to a man in an informal settlement before Joshlin was forcefully taken into a shack by Kelly.
Tuesday: cross-examination of witnesses
The proceedings started when Paulina Tshosa went under examination by Nobahle Mkabayi during her role as the defense lawyer for van Rhyn.
The witness Tshosa pointed out Kelly and a male resident who fought violently in the informal settlement area.
Judge Nathan Erasmus repeatedly interrupted the court session, ordering Nobahle Mkabayi to clarify her questions throughout the cross-examination.
When Lombaard underwent cross-examination she detailed her decision to work as a state witness during October 2023. At the beginning Lombaard failed to provide truthful answers before deciding it became essential to share the truth.
Wednesday: Lombaard’s testimony continues
During his cross-examination of Lombaard Fanie Harmse from Boeta concentrated on small details extensively. The testimonies Lombaard provided over Kelly’s violent tendencies showed no discrepancies such as the time Kelly shattered a window or threatened Boeta.
The proceedings were postponed temporarily because Lombaard became sick. Additional questions arose after Lombaard came back from her short absence because her statements no longer aligned with her previous testimony in Joshlin Smith trial recap.
Thursday: lies and confessions
During the court proceedings Lombaard created a great surprise by acknowledging her deception in the initial police declaration leading to doubts about her credibility as a witness.
Judge Erasmus conducted a cross-examination with Lombaard about her police statements particularly about the conflicting claim regarding the payment of money for Joshlin.
During her police questioning Lombaard confessed to lying thus making her credibility uncertain.
With Joshlin Smith trial recap, the court officials decided to delay the trial proceedings until March 24 Monday for continued proceedings.
