Duncan Hoorn's trial for the alleged murder of his wife set to commence
Chantal Pasqualle
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The trial of Duncan Hoorn, a Hanover Park man accused of kidnapping and murdering his wife Chantal Pasqualle-Hoorn amid allegations of infidelity, is set to begin in the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Wynberg Regional Court.
Hoorn faces charges of kidnapping, murder, and defeating the administration of justice related to her death.
The Hanover Park mother was allegedly assaulted and stabbed on June 28, 2024. She remained in a coma for a month before succumbing to her injuries on July 28, 2024.
The case drew significant attention at the time, with residents expressing frustration over what they believed was a delay in Hoorn's arrest. He was eventually arrested two days after Chantal's funeral.
According to the State's indictment, prosecutors are expected to argue that Hoorn unlawfully and intentionally deprived Chantal of her freedom by locking her inside their home and preventing her from leaving.
The State further alleges that he assaulted her by hitting, kicking and jumping on her before stabbing her multiple times with a knife or another object unknown to the prosecution.
Prosecutors contend that the attack was premeditated and that Chantal's death resulted from sustained physical abuse. Should Hoorn be convicted of murder, the State intends seeking the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
Hoorn also faces a charge of defeating the administration of justice. The State alleges that after the attack he attempted to conceal evidence by cleaning blood from items allegedly used during the assault and removing blood stains and splatter from surfaces inside the family home.
The trial is expected to hear testimony from several witnesses as the State seeks to prove its case against the accused.
Hoorn has maintained his plea of not guilty.
Proceedings are expected to get under way on Monday.