Jason Rohde: Convicted wife killer leaves prison on R200 000 bail

Convicted murderer Jason Rohde has been granted bail of R200 000 by the Supreme Court of Appeal. Rohde challenged a High Court decision not to release him on bail while he waits to appeal his murder conviction and sentence from earlier this year.

BREAKING NEWS: Jason Rohde has been granted bail pending the outcome of his appeal. He is being released on very strict bail conditions and must report to the Plettenberg Bay police station within 48 hours. He was sentenced for killing his wife and making it look like a suicide pic.twitter.com/dSsZLT6FiT

— AlgoaFMNews (@AlgoaFMNews) December 18, 2019

Jason Rohde latest – convicted wife-killer out on bail

In developments which are sure to shock the South African public, he has been freed one week before Christmas. Rohde is currently serving 20 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Susan, at the luxury Spier wine estate in Stellenbosch where they were staying while he attended a conference related to his business.

She was found dead inside a locked bathroom, strangled by the iron cord that was still around her neck. Rohde has always maintained his innocence and claims she took her own life. The protracted trial revealed startling details of infidelity, unrequited love, domestic abuse and, ultimately, murder.

How the case unfolded

State prosecutors maintained that Susan’s death was a result of her husband’s rage relating to his own extramarital affair being exposed. The pair had a blazing row when Susan discovered Jason was still in contact with another woman he’d been seeing. The court believes a physical row ensued, which caused Mr Rohde to strangle his partner.

Jason Rohde has previously claimed he and his family would suffer immeasurable prejudice if he was not released to take care of his professional affairs. In an affidavit he had previously submitted to the court, the businessman said he had a reasonable prospect of success to appeal on both constitutional and legal grounds. His pleas have been acknowledged, and he will be out of jail imminently.