Gay-killer for psych tests

22 January 2016 - 02:23 By Aarti J Narsee

Residents of Ceres will have to wait a little longer for justice now that the murderer of a gay aspiring fashion designer has been referred for psychological assessment before sentencing. Judge Siraj Desai yesterday found Christo Oncke, 29, guilty of murder.David Olyne, 22, was bludgeoned to death and his body burned near Ceres in 2014. His charred remains were found in a dilapidated pumphouse on a farm just outside the farming town, his limbs tied with wire.It was alleged Oncke invited children nearby to watch him kill a "moffie".On the stand, Oncke said he could tell that someone was a homosexual just by looking at him.He denied claims that he was chanting "burn, fire burn" as he torched Olyne's corpse.Daylene Koopman, 30, who is part of the gay community in Ceres, said the other young people allegedly involved in the murder should also be brought to book."Gay people in this community do not feel safe," said Koopman.Olyne had worked at the Family Food and Meat Market in Ceres for four years before his death. His manager, Heather Muller, described him as a "jolly" person who always stayed out of trouble.She "could not fathom" why he was murdered."He was a friendly person; he lit up the workplace every morning. He would burst into song, turn up the radio and make me coffee."Yesterday, members of the gay community in Ceres came out to show support for Olyne, who was well known among them for taking part in drag queen and gay pageants.The case returns to Ceres Magistrate's Court next month.The case of Phoebe Titus, a transgender woman from the Ceres area allegedly stabbed to death by a 15-year-old, returns to court today. The killings have shaken the gay community, some saying many residents are still intolerant of gay people...

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