The suspect accused of raping and murdering his son’s 8-year-old friend during a sleepover was denied bail in the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Also read: Suspect in murder case of 8-year-old at sleepover is a convicted rapist
This comes after the suspect, Arthur Wheeler, made his third court appearance, with his defence team indicating that he was able to pay R1 000 bail should he be released.
However, he will remain in custody after bail was denied on Monday morning.
Wheeler is expected back in court on 14 August.
It is alleged that the incident occurred on 15 June. Daniel Jamneck was sleeping next to him on a double bed inside his flat in Peerless Park North, Kraaifontein, when he allegedly strangled him to death.
His son had been sleeping on the double bunk inside the same bedroom and is set to become a State witness in the case.
The previously convicted rapist has yet to plead guilty to the charges of rape, murder, sexual assault and assault to cause grievous bodily harm.
Speaking to IOL, Candice van der Rheede, founder of the Western Cape Missing Persons Unit, said they have been calling for bail to be refused.
‘We said we would see to it that he does not get bail,’ she said.
A relative of the landlord who knew Wheeler said they were happy as a family to see that he was denied bail.
‘We are relieved, we thank God, we know other children are protected now,’ she said. ‘We are hoping to find out the truth of what more he could have done to other children.’
‘It is sad that Daniel’s life had to be taken away to save other children. He saved a lot of other children because he (the accused) will be put away. A lot of people have been affected by this case.’
‘We have so many questions and we all feel like we failed him. Why was he so confident that he would get out?’
Meanwhile, the landlord’s daughter, who cannot be identified, said they were traumatised by the incident, as many are pointing fingers at their family.
‘We pray that justice continues for this family and child,’ she said.
‘We are in no way responsible for what happened as we were not aware of what type of monster he was. I used to visit him as a teenager and was around him at family outings and gatherings and we never had a suspicion.’
‘We want people to know that we are not supporting him. My mother was in shock as he has never shown this side of himself.’
Also read:
Authorities failed children in sleepover murder, say activists
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