The young Griekwastad murderer was a well-adjusted individual during primary and high school, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Tuesday. The court has found the boy guilty of the murders of Griekwastad farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and their daughter Marthella, 14. They were shot dead on their farm Naauwhoek on April 6, 2012. Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo was listening to mitigating evidence in the sentencing procedures of the 17-year-old boy found guilty of three murders. “It seems the boy adapted well socially and formed good relationships with friends,” criminologist Eon Sonnekus said. Riaan Bode, for the boy, called Sonnekus as the first witness for the defence in arguing for mitigating circumstances. The boy was also found guilty on a charge of raping the girl and lying to the police. Sonnekus testified that one of the boy’s girlfriends explained that he had always treated her and her friends with chivalry. Sonnekus said the girl spent much time with the boy, over a period of some 10 weekends, and at times was alone with him in the fields. “He treated her as a lady. The girl was not scared of the boy,” Sonnekus said. He...
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