Man charged in 3 ax killings released on bail

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A 21-year-old man who faces three counts of murder for the ax killings of his parents and older brother has been released on $6,500 bail.

Henri van Breda turned himself in Monday over the January 2015 killings in an upscale gated community that made headlines across South Africa.

An official with the Stellenbosch Magistrate Court confirmed van Breda's release Tuesday and said he is expected to appear in court in Cape Town on Sept. 9. The official insisted on anonymity, saying he was not authorized to speak to the press.

Van Breda also faces one count of attempted murder and one count of obstruction of justice. The family's daughter, Marli, was wounded in the assault.

The ax attack killed Martin van Breda, his wife, Teresa, and their eldest son, Rudi.