/ 24 August 2007

Idols winner’s ex-boyfriend in court again

Cheslyn Williams, the former boyfriend of Idols winner Karin Kortje, appeared again in the Bellville Regional Court on Friday, charged with the murder of a Durbanville guest-house owner.

Prosecutor Herculene Swart told magistrate Johan Vermaak that the trial was expected to start before him on September 26, and that two assessors would be appointed to assist him.

The victim, Renate Kellerman, owned the Le Petit Chateau guest house in Agulhas Street, Durbanville, where Williams had booked in on July 13 with Kortje.

It is alleged that Williams stayed behind on the night of arrival, while Kortje and her friends went out.

On Kortje’s return, Kellerman’s body was found in a bedroom, with multiple stab wounds. Williams was nowhere to be found.

He faces charges of murder and aggravated armed robbery. In the robbery count, he is alleged to have fled in Kellerman’s bakkie, and to have stolen her cellphone and a digital camera.

Williams has chosen to conduct his own defence, despite the magistrate’s warnings that he faced serious charges and needed a lawyer. — Sapa