S.Africa: He did not give victim food or water before murdering her

[More disgusting testimony from someone who should be executed but sadly, the bastard will be allowed to live. Jan]

Donovan Moodley did not give his kidnap victim Leigh Matthews any food or water for the 12 hours that she was his prisoner before he murdered her.

This was one of the new confessions made by Moodley on Thursday, the fourth day of his trial in the Johannesburg High Court.

Earlier in the week Moodley confessed to kidnapping and murdering Matthews, a Sandton student, and extorting R50 000 from her family.

The state has been calling witnesses to prove that Moodley's confession was not complete, and that he had frozen Matthews' body for 12 days before staging the crime scene at Walkerville.

On Thursday investigating officer Superintendent Piet Byleveldt was scheduled to testify. But after an objection by defence council Johan Pretorius, and a new set of confessions, he did not.

He answered several quick and routine questions and pointed out key locations on a giant map in the courtroom.

Moodley also confessed that when police seized his pistol, there were 22 rounds of ammunition missing. What he did with them has not emerged.

He also said the state had an overwhelming case against him and that his life went on as usual after the grisly murder. He had even got engaged on a luxury yacht off the coast of Durban, using a ring he bought with the ransom money.

The court adjourned on Thursday afternoon after the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) issued a confiscating order for the R50 000 Moodley received in ransom money from Leigh's father, Rob Matthews.

Moodley will have 14 days to repay the money or the AFU will sell the assets confiscated from him. These include a Ducati motorbike, a Toyota Tazz and an engagement ring.

Moodley's father, Stephen, said the family were devastated and were waiting for sentencing.

Stephen Moodley and Rob Matthews were said to have shaken hands and exchanged words after the court adjourned.

Defence lawyer Jonathan Minnie said outside the court that Moodley had received many letters from the media and would consider them overnight.

The Matthews family had appeared stronger in the last few days but on Thursday were visibly shaken. They did not speak to journalists, as they usually did, and rushed in and out of court.

A large crowd of spectators had gathered outside the court. - Sapa

Source: Independent Online (IOL)

URL: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click...