Fourth lawyer for Maree

The trial of accused paedophile Johann Maree could once again not proceed on Tuesday, following several previous delays over the past few months. Although Maree applied for legal aid three weeks ago after his previous legal representative withdrew from the case, no new legal aid lawyer was appointed during that period.High Court judge Philanda Christiaan briefly adjourned court proceedings in Windhoek on Tuesday morning to contact the legal aid directorate for clarification on the matter. The directorate informed the court that no new lawyer had yet been appointed. The case was adjourned until 14:00, at which time a new legal aid lawyer had been appointed for Maree.Titus Ipumbu is Maree&#039;s latest legal representative – at least the fourth attorney on record to represent Maree since his arrest in April 2020.Christiaan postponed the case to 25 March and scheduled further hearing dates for 24 to 30 April and 17 to 21 June.Conflict of interestMaree&#039;s previous legal representative, Milton Engelbrecht, withdrew from the case on 29 January.After receiving the case file and following the disclosure of court documents, he realised that he knew one of the alleged victims. "I withdraw for ethical reasons," he told the court. Maree&#039;s trial was initially scheduled to begin in August last year but has been postponed several times since then.Maree faces charges on 75 counts, including 24 counts of rape, 18 counts of child trafficking, ten counts of using a minor to produce pornography, committing indecent acts on a minor, and encouraging or allowing a child under the age of 16 to consume alcohol.Following an application for a psychiatric evaluation filed by Maree last year, it was found that he was fit to stand trial and could be held accountable for his alleged actions.At that time, he claimed to have no recollection of the crimes the State accuses him of committing.Before his arrest, Maree worked as a photographer and was a police reservist.– kristien@nmh-hub.com.na

Fourth lawyer for Maree

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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Fourth lawyer for Maree

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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