Our murder trial tag collects all articles, updates and analysis about ongoing and past criminal trials. If a case is in court, you will find the timeline, key filings, witness updates and the verdict here. We focus on facts from court records, police statements and reputable sources. Expect clear, quick updates when hearings happen and fuller explainers after major events.
How we cover trials: we track public court documents, live reporting from hearings when possible, and official statements from prosecutors and defence teams. We avoid speculation and flag unconfirmed claims. Want to know what to watch for? Bail hearings, plea entries, witness lists, expert testimony and jury selection often shape the outcome.
A typical murder trial moves through several stages. First, arrest and charge. Then arraignment where the accused hears charges and enters a plea. Pretrial hearings sort out evidence and motion disputes. If no plea deal happens, the case goes to trial where both sides present witnesses and evidence. Finally a jury or judge returns a verdict and a sentencing hearing may follow.
Key terms to know: indictment is the formal charge, arraignment is the first court appearance, plea is guilty or not guilty, bail is release before trial, and sentencing sets the punishment. Knowing these words helps you read reports without confusion.
We label breaking updates, live reports and background explainers so you can pick what you need. Breaking updates are short and factual. Live reports follow court events in real time. Background pieces explain legal rules, possible penalties and the roles of key players like prosecutors, defence lawyers and judges.
We also explain evidence types: forensic results, CCTV, witness testimony and digital records. Not every piece of evidence decides a case, but we point out what looks decisive and why lawyers stress some details during cross-examination.
Expect a timeline on each case page. Timelines list arrests, major hearings and verdicts with links to full articles. That saves time if you want the essentials or a quick refresher before a new update.
We try to include perspectives from both sides. That means quotes from prosecutors and defence counsel, and where possible reactions from victims’ families. Coverage aims to be fair and sensitive. Trials involve real people and pain, so we use plain language and avoid graphic detail unless it is legally relevant.
If you want alerts, subscribe to notifications for this tag. You can also follow us on social channels for headline updates. Want deeper analysis? Look for our explainers and legal breakdowns that unpack court rules and likely outcomes.
Questions or corrections? Email our editorial team. We welcome sourced tips and will check public records before publishing. Stay informed, think critically about reporting, and remember that a verdict changes a case’s status—watch for follow-up coverage when that happens.
We avoid naming minors and respect legal limits on publication; send court links if you have them and we’ll verify before posting any new material for publication immediately.
The ongoing murder trial of former South African soccer star Senzo Meyiwa in the Pretoria high court has seen some significant events. Two men on trial have raised concerns about their conditions at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre. Forensic supervisor Pinky Vythilingam's testimony confirmed that a SIM swap was performed on Meyiwa's phone hours after his death.