September 29, 2006

'SMS murder'

iAfrica reports on a murder case ruled South Africa , dubbed "SMS murder". It illustrates how text messaging was used as crucial evidence in getting a conviction.

"The drama started when Wesley Neil Julyan's co-perpetrator, Jaco Strauss, who was jailed for 15 years for murder and aggravated robbery, sent an SMS to a former lover in England about the incident.

The lover went to the police in England and Interpol informed Port Shepstone detective Basil Crause.

After murdering a drunk Kenneth van Aarde by strangling him with a shoe lace, Strauss and Julyan dumped his body in a bushy area and buried him near the Julyan home at Mtwalume. They tried to sell his car.

It is doubtful if his body would have been found had it not been for the SMS sent to England."

Related: - South African "SMS murder"