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South Africa: DJ Sentenced to Two Life Terms
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Cape Argus (Cape Town)
14 May 2008
Posted to the web 15 May 2008
Ella Smook
Heinrich van Rooyen, who was recently convicted of murdering two young women in 2005, was sentenced to two life sentences in the Knysna circuit court on Wendesday.
The former DJ was also sentenced to an additional 28 years in prison on charges of indecent assault, obstruction of justice and malicious damage to property.
Judge Nathan Erasmus said Van Rooyen, 25, should be removed from society for the rest of his natural life, pointing out that in previous years he would have been facing a death sentence.
"No mitigating circumstances were brought before this court," the judge said.
Van Rooyen was found guilty of the murders of Jessica Wheeler, 19, and Victoria Stadler, 20, two years ago.
Judge Erasmus slammed Van Rooyen for his behaviour in court during the trial, saying his "arrogance did not impress (him) at all".
"You show no remorse, and sometimes I even got the impression that you were proud of what you had done," he said.
Judge Erasmus reiterated that when he handed down a life sentence, he intended the convicted person to stay in prison for the rest of his life.
Van Rooyen smiled as sentence was handed down.
Judge Erasmus also denied Van Rooyen leave to appeal.
Hundreds of spectators flocked to the Knysna Circuit Court this morning to hear Van Rooyen's fate and as the court adjourned the crowd began clapping and chanting "Heinie is innocent".
People pushed up against the doors of the court from early this morning in an attempt to secure a seat. Once inside the people were pushed up against walls and filled the hallways outside.
During final argument yesterday, Van Rooyen's defence team said he maintained that he was not guilty and therefore could "not apologise".
Van Rooyen's advocate, Terry Price, said the defence would not argue in mitigation of sentence, because Van Rooyen maintained he was innocent.
Because of this, Judge Erasmus asked the State, and not the defence, whether there was any indication why Van Rooyen had committed the murders that rocked the peaceful tourist town two years ago.
He also asked prosecutor Christhenus van der Vijver whether Van Rooyen should be removed from society "for the rest of his natural life".
In reply, Van der Vijver said: "He is adamant about his innocence, but what do we have here? Two girls murdered a month apart: we know the first incorporated a sexual assault and there is a strong possibility that the second also (incorporated a sexual assault) Certainly red lights should be flashing that he poses a danger to society One can reach no other conclusion."
Van Rooyen's father, Isaac van Rooyen, who has stood by his son throughout the ordeal that has hit the family emotionally and financially, smiled and shook his head as his son's future was negotiated.
Earlier Heinrich van Rooyen had listened intently as the mother of one of his victims testified about the effect his actions had had on her life.
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"Vic would have wanted me to be here," Hannetjie Stadler said on the stand. "It does not bring my child back, but I think justice prevailed."
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