Amber Lee Hughes was previously convicted of murder. (Photo: Isabel Venter/Maroela Media)
Newly reported, the murdered Nada-Jane Challita’s parents had to turn around unsuccessful cases at the court for the fifth time on Friday after pre-sentence proceedings were once again postponed.
Elie Challita, the four-year-old girl’s father, was also ill and said outside the court that he could not rest.
The pre-sentence proceedings in the case against Amber-Lee Hughes were supposed to resume on Friday after the judge was not available to hear it four times earlier. Members of the media were asked to leave the courtroom so that an online meeting could be held with the judge.
After a long adjournment, the case was adjourned.
The state indicated that there was a “misunderstanding about the adjournment date” in the meeting with the judge. It seems the judge was under the impression he had to hear the case on a date other than Friday.
Elie Challita and his little daughter, Nada-Jane. (Photo: Provided)
The case was then provisionally adjourned to two dates in August and two in September.
Hughes was already found guilty of murdering Nada-Jane in August last year.
Hughes met Nada-Jane and Elie Challita while she was a kindergarten teacher. The two later started a relationship, after which Hughes moved in with Challita.
On January 23, 2023, Challita left Nada-Jane in Hughes’ care. Hughes testified in her trial that her mental state as well as psychological problems – and Elie Challita – drove her to drown Nada-Jane in a bathtub that day.
She still denies she raped the girl.
Also Read: Nada-Jane Murder | Teacher is guilty
Judge Richard Mkhabela has already found that Hughes was not a reliable witness. He also said earlier this year, when she herself testified in mitigation, that there was reason to doubt what she testified.
The case was then adjourned for the state to lead evidence in aggravation.
Amber Lee Hughes. (Photo: Isabel Venter/Maroela Media)