Lotter lawyer leaves as money dries up

The lawyer representing Nicolette and Hardus Lotter, who are accused of killing their parents, on Friday withdrew his services to the pair.

Danie Grundlingh asked the Durban High Court to allow him to withdraw after the court's decision not to allow the Lotters to use their deceased parents' money to pay their legal fees.

Judge Vivienne Niles-Duner recently dismissed their application with costs, saying an accused could not benefit from his or her own crime.

Nicolette and Hardus, as well as Nicolette's former boyfriend, Mathew Naidoo, are accused of murdering Johannes and Magdalena Lotter in their Westville home last year.

The case was adjourned to December 4 to allow the Lotters to get another lawyer from the Legal Aid Board. The murder trial was put on hold pending the civil application.

Naidoo was released on bail in February. His two co-accused remained behind bars. - Sapa