Evidence will be presented that Dirk Prinsloo, former lover of Cezanne Visser, followed a consistent pattern of abusive behaviour towards women, the Pretoria High Court heard on Thursday.
In the case against Cezanne Visser, who is accused of numerous sex crimes, her counsel, Johan Engelbrecht, said Prinsloo’s former wife and girlfriend will be called to testify how he behaved towards them.
Visser, who is also known as ”Advocate Barbie”, claims her judgement was impaired by Prinsloo’s abuse and coercive control to such an extent that although she knew the difference between right and wrong, she could not act accordingly.
This could possibly result in her acquittal.
Visser and the still-missing Prinsloo — who absconded several months ago — have denied guilt on 15 charges ranging from rape to indecent assault, soliciting minors to commit indecent acts, and the possession and manufacture of child pornography.
The state alleges Visser fetched young girls from children’s homes under false pretences, whereafter they were subjected to sexual abuse. The couple allegedly, among others, exposed themselves to the girls, showed pornography to them and even had sex in front of one of them.
Visser earlier closed her case without testifying, but recently appointed a senior advocate and applied for the reopening of her case.
Engelbrecht earlier told the court he has nude photos of Visser that show purple marks on her body. Visser will testify that Prinsloo drugged and assaulted her, afterwards telling her he did it because she was ”naughty”.
Nude photos of Prinsloo’s ex-wife and girlfriend allegedly show similarities to the photos of Visser.
Prosecutor Andre Fourie and Engelbrecht on Thursday continued their verbal sparring about whether Visser should be referred for mental observation at a state psychiatric hospital. Fourie maintains the crimes of which Visser stand accused involve children and women who were subjected to ”psychological violence”.
In the light of the allegation that she is not criminally liable for her actions, the court should have the benefit of an evaluation by a panel of three experts.
Engelbrecht, however, said the court and experts appointed by the state should first hear Visser’s evidence and the possible evidence of experts in the field of domestic abuse before deciding if it is necessary to refer her for mental observation.
A ruling is expected on Friday. — Sapa