Millionaire farmer seeks earlier Parole Board hearing

The Johannesburg High Court sentenced Du Toit (53) to 32 years imprisonment in October 1997 for the 1992 murder of his wife Joyce, who was bludgeoned to death in her bed. He was also convicted of falsifying his wife\'s will, and of false insurance claims involving millions. Du Toit, who was remarried shortly after his wife\'s murder, was only arrested over five years after her death. He insisted that he was innocent and that unknown robbers had killed his wife. Du Toit said with special remissions, he was now entitled to release on parole after serving nine years and eight months of his sentence. He said the Parole Board\'s decision not to release him, but to order that he undergo further anger and stress management to address his ‘denial’ was ‘irrational’, as he was a model prisoner and no danger to society. He felt his proclamation of innocence was being unfairly held against him. Judge Chris Botha changed the Parole Board\'s order that Du Toit could only re-apply for parole in 18 months, and ruled that the board reconsider his case on January 20. Full report on the IoL site