The highly anticipated murder trial of Franziska Blöchliger came to a surprise halt on Monday afternoon.
Advocate Ken Klopper‚ counsel for the murder accused Howard Oliver‚ withdrew from the case.
He made the surprise announcement in the High Court in Cape Town where the trial started last week.
Klopper told Judge Kate Savage: "My new instruction is of such a nature that I have to ethically withdraw."
- Franziska's body was still warm when they found herA year after her death‚ the murder trial of 16-year-old Franziska Blöchliger is underway in the Western Cape High Court.
State prosecutor Lenro Badenhorst requested that the ''record of evidence be transcribed and handed over for legal aid''.
Blöchliger went jogging in Tokai forest in March 7‚ 2016. She had arranged to meet her mother after her run but when she did not arrive the family started to worry. A search ensued and the 16-year-old's body was found.
- 10 murders of young women and girls that shocked SAThe murder and rape of girls and young women have inundated the headlines in recent months.
Initial reports are that she had been strangled‚ suffocated‚ sand was found in her throat and she had been raped. Her iPhone‚ watch‚ headset and diamond ring were missing.
The case will resume on Wednesday.
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