Joshlin Smith trial draws to a close with sentencing proceedings
After finding the accused guilty, Presiding Judge Nathan Erasmus warned Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and his friend Steveno Van Rhyn that they face lengthy sentences behind bars.
(From left) Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Kelly Smith appeared in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on 9 May 2025. Picture: Lauren Isaacs/EWN
CAPE TOWN - The Joshlin Smith trial is set to reach its conclusion this week with the sentencing of the missing girl’s mother and her two co-accused, who have been found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking.
After finding the accused guilty, Presiding Judge Nathan Erasmus warned Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and his friend Steveno Van Rhyn that they face lengthy sentences behind bars.
All eyes will be on Smith this week in anticipation of whether she decides to testify in mitigation of her sentence.
Smith, who has already been convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking related to her daughter's disappearance, chose not to take the stand during the trial.
Before making his ruling, Erasmus told the court that the corroboration of certain details in the testimonies of state witnesses and the confession statements of Appollis and Van Rhyn proved pivotal to his ruling.
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Erasmus also said Smith's decision not to testify, and her behaviour after Joshlin went missing further prompted his verdict.
The proceedings will be held in the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha on Tuesday and Wednesday before sentencing is delivered on Thursday.
Erasmus urged legal teams to be ready for sentencing proceedings to commence.
State prosecutors have indicated that victim impact statements will be ready before the sentencing proceedings go ahead today.
A kidnapping and human trafficking expert is also expected to testify on behalf of the State.
Defence attorneys for Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn have not disclosed whether they will call any witnesses to take the stand.
Appollis and Van Rhyn are being held at Malmesbury Prison, while Smith will be kept at Langebaan Police Station for the duration of the sentencing proceedings.
Erasmus said a separate hearing will be held at a later stage to determine the indemnity of the former accused turned state witness, Lourencia Lombaard.
The judge also believes there's a possibility of new evidence coming to light during the sentencing proceedings this week.