Parricide trial of gay student delayed

25 Nov 2007- Cape Town, South Africa- A gay psychology student who in July allegedly shot dead both his parents to spare them the grief of his planned suicide, is to go on trial in the Cape high court next year on two charges of murder.

On Friday, Grant Harris (23) made his seventh appearance in the Wynberg magistrate's court, before magistrate Hafeeza Mohamed, since his arrest in August for the double murders at his parents' home on July 10.

Although the court was informed at Harris' previous appearance in October that the investigation had been completed, prosecutor Carolyn Turner asked for yet another postponement, for further investigation, to January 10 next year.

Turner said the State had not been aware until last week of the need for the special ballistics report.

A psychiatric report that forms part of the court record has declared Harris fit to stand trial, and says he is not mentally ill, nor is he certifiable in terms of the Mental Health Act.

The report said the murder of his parents, Glenn and Deborah Harris, was motivated by his desire to commit suicide.
Harris had wanted to spare his parents the grief resulting from his suicide.

The report said his relationship with his parents had become strained, after he revealed to them about four years ago that he was homosexual.

The report said he had started a long-term gay relationship, in which he and his partner had lived in the garage of his parents' home.

It said Harris felt deep rejection when his gay partner left him in May, and the break-up had caused suicidal feelings.

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