NEWS
Three in court after alleged attack on US tourist
November 3, 2003
CAPE TOWN — Three men appeared briefly in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on
Friday as a sequel to an attack on United States tourist James
Girod on Monday.
Girod, a yoga teacher from Oregon, was left with chipped front
teeth and a black eye after being attacked on Sandy Bay beach, on
the Atlantic seaboard. Anti-gay hate-speech was allegedly used
during the incident.
Garth Cason, 21, of Melkbos appeared before magistrate Mas-udah Pangarker, charged with assault and crimen injuria.
With him in the dock was Edwin Pool, 20, of Table View, and Brian
Joseph, 22, of Bothasig, all of whom face similar charges.
The three were arrested on Thursday as a result of a tip-off to
the police and were released on warning soon after their arrests.
Prosecutor Brenda Mpako told the court the case had been
referred to the Directorate for Public Prosecutions for a decision,
and she asked for a postponement to November 4.
Cason told the court he would appoint a privately-funded lawyer
while Pool said he wanted legal aid. Joseph said he would probably
represent himself and added: "There is no need for legal aid."
Mpako said that Girod wished to return to the United States on
November 10 and that he was likely to lodge a civil claim against
the three as well.
She said all the documentation had been referred to the public
prosecutions director Rodney de Kock and that the investigation had
also not yet been completed.
Mpako said she had been instructed by the de Kock to request a
postponement. –Sapa
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