A Gqeberha couple accused of murdering the woman's toddler more than a decade ago made another brief appearance in the city's High Court on Friday.
Robin and Kristen Clarke are alleged to have acted in common purpose to intentionally abuse and neglect 19-month-old Krisley Dirker.
The State alleges that between the 27th of September and the 10th of October in 2013, the Clarkes acted in common purpose to intentionally abuse and neglect Krisley by assaulting her with a blunt force or other methods unknown to the State.
State Advocate Marius Stander told the court that Robin's application for legal representation at Legal Aid South Africa had been unsuccessful but upon his appeal his request was granted.
Following Robin's successful appeal to get representation for legal aid, his wife Robin has now also applied.
As a result her legal representative Louis Van Heerden withdrew from the case.
The matter was postponed to the 16 of June for the outcome of Robin's application.
The couple, who is out on warning was warned by Judge Pakati to be present at their next court appearance or their bail monies will be forfeited to the State and arrest warrants issued.
Background
The Clarkes were arrested in 2022, nine years after Krisley's death.
Kristen moved in with Robin shortly after her relationship ended with Krisley's father.
The pair got married two years after Krisley's death.
Kristen allegedly left her daughter in Robin's care for two weeks in 2013 while she was at work.
The State alleges that Krisley was assaulted with a blunt force which led to her death on the 17th of October 2013.
She suffered severe injuries to her head, and over her arms, legs, hands, and feet due to the alleged continued abuse.
It was this continued abuse that led to her falling into a coma and her subsequent death in the hospital due to her injuries.
