Durban man declared unfit to stand trial for alleged murder of pro-Palestine woman
Image: Supplied / NPA
The Durban Magistrate's Court on Tuesday learned that 45-year-old Grayson James Beare, charged with killing a Durban woman and attempting to kill her entire family for allegedly being pro-Palestine, has been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder and declared unfit to stand trial.
Beare allegedly stabbed Halima Hoosen-Preston to death. He also faces two counts of attempted murder against Hoosen-Preston's husband, Shaun, and their 18-year-old son, Adam.
On June 2, 2024, he allegedly stormed into the Preston home and attacked Halima, stabbing her 15 times in front of her family in the Glenmore area.
Hoosen-Preston's 13-year-old daughter was not physically harmed during the attack. The Hoosen-Preston and Beare families resided in the building and were acquainted with each other.
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As Beare made a brief appearance in court, State senior prosecutor, Calvin Govender, told the court that a medical report from Fort Napier Psychiatric Hospital said Beare would not be able to follow court proceedings and instruct his attorney.
Govender added that Beare had been declared unfit to stand trial. He said he would be discussing the report with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Additionally, Govender requested that the matter be referred to the regional court for an inquiry.
'From the available information, the accused was unable to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions at the time of the alleged offence,' read the report.
According to the report, Beare was admitted to this hospital on March 15, 2025, for mental evaluation. He was examined by two State psychiatrists, Dr S Shain and Dr S. V Moodley.
During his stay at Fort Napier, Beare had psychiatric interviews, physical and neurological examinations, and a urine multi-drug screening.
'Throughout he was under constant observation by the psychiatric nursing staff,' the report stated.
Additionally, the report also revealed that Beare has a tertiary degree and is divorced.
Beare has been in custody since his arrest in 2024 and has not applied for bail as he has been waiting for his mental evaluation.
His mental state became a point of contention following a State district surgeon's finding that he was fit to stand trial.
At the time, his defence challenged this report in an application made in the court, on the basis that the accused had been a psychiatric patient for more than five years, adding that he was not fit to stand trial.
The matter was postponed to August 15.
nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za
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