Johnny Bartman confessed to killing his ex-wife. (Candice Bezuidenhout/News24)
- Former high school teacher Johnny Bartman was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of his ex-wife.
- The courtroom gallery was filled with his ex-wife Desiree's family and his own family.
- Baartman disclosed details of the murder as part of a plea deal with the state.
Former high school teacher Johnny Baartman was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Friday in the Eastern Cape High Court in Gkebela after pleading guilty to beating his ex-wife to death with the wooden handle of a pickaxe.
As part of a plea deal with the state, the gruesome details of Desiree Baartman's murder were revealed in court.
A packed public auditorium made up of Desiree and Johnny's family members listened intently as the plea agreement was read aloud.
On June 21, 2023, family, friends and neighbors prayed for Desiree Baartman's soul outside her home in Goukevera. (Garo Images/Dai Burger/Lulama Zenzil)
In early June 2023, Johnny murdered Desiree, a mother of his two children, who was still living with him.
Desiree's body was found in a storm drain in Jagtelsbrakte on June 20, after she had been missing for about two weeks.
Johnny turned her body over to the police.
Desiree was last seen at her home on Nagelstrasse in Bethelsdorp and was reported missing by Johnny on June 14.
Johnny was recently declared fit to stand trial after being admitted to the Fort England Psychiatric Hospital in Makhanda for 30 days for evaluation.
After his arrest, he was said to have shown suicidal tendencies, including attempting to slit his wrists, and the court ordered a psychiatric evaluation.
However, an examination revealed that he had no mental illness and knew what he was doing when he committed the murder.
