Griekwastad trial adjourns for sentencing

The trial of a 17-year-old boy accused of the Steenkamp family murders in 2012 was postponed on Tuesday to August for sentencing, the Volksblad newspaper reported.

Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo listened to final arguments in the sentencing procedures in the Kimberley High Court on Tuesday.

He postponed the matter to August 13, 2014 for sentencing, the newspaper reported.

On March 27, the court found the boy guilty of the murders of Griekwastad farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and their daughter Marthella, 14.

They were shot dead on their farm Naauwhoek on April 6, 2012.

The boy was also found guilty on a charge of rape of the girl and lying to the police.

Prosecutor Hannes Cloete submitted the boy's ability to manipulate others was his danger to society, the report said.

Cloete urged the court to look at the crimes in earnest and the injuries caused to the victims and others.

The State further urged the court to look at the merits of the case.

The boy's legal counsel Riaan Bode asked the court to consider the boy's young age, the report said.

Bode submitted that every child was unique and the boy could still make a positive contribution to society.

He asked that Kgomo also consider running the sentences concurrently.