a day ago
Durban man accused of killing pro-Palestine mom awaits psychiatric evaluation report
Grayson Beare faces murder charges for allegedly killing Halima Hoosen-Preston over her pro-Palestine views.
He also faces two charges of attempted murder for attacking Hoosen-Preston's husband and son.
Beare appeared disorientated in court on Friday, where his case was postponed to next month for a psychiatric evaluation report from Fort Napier Hospital.
The man charged with the murder of 46-year-old pro-Palestine mom, Halima Hoosen-Preston, appeared disorientated when he entered the dock on Friday.
Grayson Beare made a brief appearance in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Friday, where the case was postponed to 15 July for a report from Fort Napier Hospital after he was admitted for a psychiatric evaluation.
Beare has been in custody since his arrest last year and has not applied for bail, pending a final report on his mental state.
The report will shed light on whether or not he is fit to stand trial and follow the court proceedings.
'The report from Fort Napier is still pending. We have been in contact with the office of the senior public prosecutor, but the person who deals with getting progress regarding this has been hospitalised, so we have had to contact the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to check on the report,' prosecutor Calvin Govender told the court.
'It has not been received yet. We're asking that the matter be adjourned to 15 July for the report. As soon as we get it, we will send it to the defence, and we will discuss a way forward,' Govender added.
Beare allegedly stabbed Hoosen-Preston multiple times over her pro-Palestine views. He faces two counts of attempted murder because he is also accused of stabbing her husband, Shaun, and their 18-year-old son, Adam.
The Hoosen-Preston and Beare families lived in the same area and were known to each other.
After his arrest in June last year, it emerged that Beare, born King, was the adopted son of Julian Beare, the managing director of Beare Holdings and that he had been estranged from the family for years.
