A Port Elizabeth man accused of stabbing his estranged wife multiple times, has been released on bail. The 47 year-old Martin Stevens of Algoa Park faces a charge of attempted murder after he allegedly attacked 43-year-old Anne-Marie outside her flat in Sydenham in October last year. He only handed himself over to police four days after the incident.
The NPA's Tshepo Ndwalaza told AlgoaFM News that Stevens was released on R5 000 bail under strict conditions last week.
The accused may not contact any state witnesses and must report to the Algoa Park Police Station once a day between 8am-4pm. He may not leave the Magisterial District of Port Elizabeth without the permission of the Investigating officer in charge of the case. Ndwalaza said even though as the State normally oppose bail in some cases it is still the prerogative of the Presiding Officer of the Court (Magistrate) to decide whether to grant bail or not.He was ordered to appear in court again on the 20th of September.
Sixteen years ago, Stevens shot and killed his first wife Hettie and her friend Colin Rosslee and then turned the gun on himself.
He suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the face and survived the incident.
Stevens was acquitted of the double-murder after the High Court ruled that he had suffered a psychotic episode.
