Forty-six-year-old Alfred De Jonge of Coburg Street, New Amsterdam, appeared yesterday before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court to face the charge of manslaughter.
The charge alleges that De Jonge unlawfully killed his girlfriend, Althea Stacy Walton.
Defence counsel attorney-at-law Chandra Sohan in an application for bail, told the court that his client is a car rental dealer, is in a common-law relationship, has fathered three children, and is not a flight risk. Sohan also stated that he was unaware of the reason his client was charged as it was a case where a car entered the trench and he was unable to rescue her initially, because of the seatbelt.
The prosecutor however, objected to bail, noting that De Jonge was an occupant of the car with the now deceased woman. Further, De Jonge initially told investigators he was in another vehicle, and it was while he was passing by, he saw the submerged vehicle and rendered assistance. However, De Jonge changed his story and told detectives he was transporting narcotics when the vehicle went overboard. However, after further questioning, he admitted that he was in the same vehicle. He said the car contained narcotics which he removed and secured before returning to render assistance.
The charge was subsequently instituted based on the statement given by the accused, the prosecutor added.
The court was reminded of a previous charge of attempted murder on a female – Shundell Williamson – and De Jonge’s comittal to stand trial at the High Court. However, the matter was disposed of after the virtual complainant did not appear.
To support the objection to bail, the prosecutor quoted the section of the Bail Act which sets out the reasons for a magistrate to refuse to release a defendant on bail. Also, the court was told that the investigation is almost completed, with several persons yet to be questioned. As such, the prosecutor contended that should bail be granted, there exists the likelihood of the defendant tampering with the witnesses.
However, Sohan, vigorously objected, insisting there was nothing to suggest witness tampering and urged the court to disregard the prosecution’s allegations against his client. He also stressed that his client was prepared to satisfy the conditions of the court.
At this point the prosecutor attempted to introduce the results of the post-mortem examination to support his objection to which Sohan again objected, telling the court that the prosecution was going into evidence on how the person allegedly drowned, which should not be accepted.
However, the prosecutor countered by reading from his case file. “I am quoting what the defendant told investigators. ‘Me and she got a lil talking. She na done. Me hold the steering wheel. Me press she down in the water, and tek out me weed and secure it ……’”
After careful consideration of all submissions, Magistrate Matthias granted De Jonge bail in the sum of $1 million with the stipulations that he lodge his passport and report to Central Police Station every Friday at 9 am.
The next court hearing has been scheduled for July 21.
Meanwhile, Walton’s parents, and sibling aired their concerns outside the courthouse. They questioned the advice given by Director of Public Prosecutions, the absence of a crime scene investigation, and why the defendant was allowed to take his vehicle home, just after the incident.
Raoul Walton, the father of the deceased, stated that it was through his intervention that the car was taken into police custody. Speaking to the media, Raoul said while the post-mortem examination confirmed that Stacy died from asphyxia due to drowning, the family was adamant that a more sinister plan was executed.
