South Africa - Martin, 55, Theresa, 54, Rudi van Breda, 22, murdered, 26 Jan 2015 #2

[JudgeJudi]

Apologies. Here's the link for the buckets.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/c7/c7/a4/c7c7a4b3ad32b2a2f53e2565216aa9c8.jpg

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/AJGMolyneaux

Anthony Molyneaux‏ @AJGMolyneaux 2m2 minutes ago @TimesLIVE

DrA says scalp is very well vascularized (it bleeds a lot) =Large amount of blood. This blood can cause shock leading to death.
Henri has his head down, supported by his hand. He sits slumped over while DrA testifies.

DrA:base of skull fractures could lead to seeping of blood into mouth & nasal passages leading to aspiration of blood.


https://twitter.com/Traceyams

Tracey Stewart‏ @Traceyams 3m3 minutes ago

Compound fractures you can see bone fractures that can protrude through overlying scalp fractures
Dr A: with skull fractures you need a considerable amount of force
Dr A: skull fracture itself is not cause of death that causes underlying damage which causes the death
Brain itself due to infliction trauma u get surface contusions also not in itself fatal but if large can contribute
Dr A:inside of brain hemorrhage can occur also leading to raised inter cranial pressure
Dr A is going through various manners one can die through brain injuries
Dr A: You can determine if there was an altercation, scuffling and defensive wounds

@CapeTownEtc

 

[JudgeJudi]

The first witness is Dr. Daphne Anthony, who did the autopsy of the 3 deceased van Breda family members.

Dr Anthony performed 3 autopsies on Martin, Rudi and Teresa van Breda on Jan 29 2015.

In all 3 post-mortems, cause of death listed as head injuries and consequences thereof. Traumatic injury has high mortality rate.

Have to be aware of the anatomical structures involving brain and skull; also type of injury, whether sharp force trauma or blunt force, and combination.

Also have think about the classification of the type of head injuries, classify if focal or diffused injuries.

Head injury has two mechanisms of injury: one is contact phenomena, other is accelerated/decelerated phenomena.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/live-van-breda-axe-murder-trial-day-18-20170525

 

[JudgeJudi]

If approached from an anatomical perspective, we start with the scalp, usually covered by hair.

Underlying the scalp, you have the skull, consisting of the skull cap and the base of the skull.

Underlying that you find the brain; then intracranial substance of the brain.

Scalp injury leads to loss of large amount of blood. Skull can fracture if elasticity is exceeded.

You get linear fractures, multiple compound fractures and common fractures.

It is not skull fracture that caused the death - it is injured brain tissue, which eventually caused the death.

At the base of the brain, a considerable amount of force was applied to the head.

Henri is resting his chin in his hand, looking down. Hasn't looked up in a while.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/live-van-breda-axe-murder-trial-day-18-20170525

 

[JudgeJudi]

Intracranial (inside of the brain) hemorrhage can also occur, leading to raised intracranial bleeding causing swelling and eventual death of the person.

From the nature of the injuries, you can draw inferences regarding object used and a specific occurrence, such as whether an assault took place or whether there was scuffling involved, and also whether these is any evidence of defensive wounds.

Another important factor is the base of skull fracture, which leads to blood gathering in mouth and nasal area.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/live-van-breda-axe-murder-trial-day-18-20170525

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/Traceyams

Tracey Stewart‏ @Traceyams 1m @CapeTownEtc

Start with Exhibit L: Rudi

Dr A: I conducted postmortem - evidence of external sharp as well as blunt trauma head and left lateral aspect leg
also on the knee and left fist and right fist
Skull fractures on skull cap and base of skull. Injuries on brain itself blood found in the stomach
Dr A: some organs were pale. Concluded cause of death was head injury and consequences thereof
injuries are described in point 3 caused by moving around when the body came into contact with instrument
nail of left little finger incise wound and nail of finger had come loose
Dr A: that is an indication that individual is trying to ward off an attack
suggestion of defensive wounds on left little finger and nail

 

[Estelle]

I can only do the tweets for 2 hours, (Tracey and Anthony) anyone else is welcome to take over, thank you.

I cannot do it as I have a severe headache and will go to bed early.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/AJGMolyneaux

Anthony Molyneaux‏ @AJGMolyneaux 1m1 minute ago @TimesLIVE

DrA described the defensive wound - protecting your head by lifting your hand. Palm facing away from face.

Henri now sits with folded arms and sits slumped forward, gazing down at ground in front of him.


https://twitter.com/Traceyams

Tracey Stewart‏ @Traceyams 2m2 minutes ago @CapeTownEtc

Dr A: Found blood in stomach and this indicates individual was still alive for a time to actively swallow for blood to enter
Dr A; Cant attach a specific time but longer than a few minutes

Dr A:subsequent to sustaining injuries he was alive for a while to actively swallow blood must have been very painful
Dr A: head injury you are immediately dead or conscious in some case you will still be semi conscious
You could feel the pain, he would have suffered

Dr A: incapacitate, unconscious and dead very different terms, you could be conscious but incapacitated
With head injury you could have slight movement not active movement, able to lift your head and slightly move limbs
Dr A: If you unconscious you won't move around
Dr A: I found his face hair and body blood stained and listed injuries
1 incise wound 70mm by 10mm on left lateral upper leg superficial
2nd wound also incised wound sharp force trauma 70mm by 20mm on left back part of skull superficial
3rd wound a chop wound this wound has features of both sharp and blunt force trauma consistent with wound i described in 3

 

[JudgeJudi]

Rudi van Breda's injuries:

Findings were evidence of external, sharp and blunt trauma on his head and neck. Found injury to his knee and also left wrist, abrasions on his wrist.

Rudi was alive for a while after injuries because he swallowed blood, found in his stomach. He could suffer the pain, Anthony says in response to Judge Desai's question.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/live-van-breda-axe-murder-trial-day-18-20170525

 

[JudgeJudi]

Head injury means not immediately dead, semi-conscious but still able to survive for a period of time and able to make slight movements.

Rudi van Breda's injuries:

Findings were evidence of external, sharp and blunt trauma on his head and neck.

Found injury to his knee and also left wrist, abrasions on his wrist.Suggestion of defenseive wounds on left small finger, skull fractures to skull cap and base of skull. Injuries to brain, blood was found in the stomach, lung appeared collapsed.

No other internal injuries noted. Some of organs were pale, cause of death was head injury and consequences thereof.The injuries suggested defensive wounds which appeared as an incised wound on left little finger, also evidence that nail of finger was loose.

Normally it's an indication that individual is trying to ward off an attack, and your natural instinct to protect face and head area.

Blood in stomach indicates person was still alive for a time for active swallowing to occur for the blood to enter esophagus and enter stomach. Cant be done passively. Longer than a few minutes

.Extensive scalp lacerations, injury to brain.Upon external examination, found his face, hair and body bloodstained.

Incise wound about 70mm by 10mm in dimension, appeared on upper neck. Superficial, didn't involve any vital structures.

Sharp force trauma 70x20mm on back of skull. Superficial.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/live-van-breda-axe-murder-trial-day-18-20170525

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/Traceyams

Tracey Stewart‏ @Traceyams 2m2 minutes ago @CapeTownEtc

normally caused by a heavy or bulky object with sharp edge and wielded to body with tremendous amount of force high rate of speed
Dr A: Due to the force it has features of both lacerated and incise appearance.
Dr A: due to tremendous amount of force you find fragments of bone that accrued to overlying laceration of skull
Dr A: wound 200mm by 400mm on skull attached to that wound was 17mm linear abrasion also form of blunt trauma
associated with this wound lose skull bone fragments noted with the naked eye
wound 4 chop wound 160mm by 25mm in the centre of wound 70mm by 50 mm incise consistent with sharp force
wounds 5,6 and 7 lacerations consistent with blunt force
wounds 8, 9 and 10 minor blunt force on the leg
wound 11 was the defensive wound, small incise wound on left little finger and 12 was the loose nail
Wounds in point 3 in itself could have been fatal and wound in 4.4. wounds in 5,6 and 7 could also be fatal
left side aspect of the neck and left back of the head and left side of the head

Dr A: he was wearing blue stripe boxer shorts consistent with sleep wear
Dr A: infer to no 5 examination of skull and point number 6 examination of brain tissue
Dr A: giving evidence on the internal damage to Rudi's brain
Dr A: He suffered sever skull fractures and that damaged the brain itself and large amount of blood loss

AdvG: hands Dr A the axe- she says this is consistent with the wounds, take into account its weight and sharp blade



https://twitter.com/AJGMolyneaux

Anthony Molyneaux‏ @AJGMolyneaux 2m2 minutes ago @TimesLIVE
another wound on Rudi's head was large, edges irregular, blunt force, 200mmx40mm in size, left side of head.
DrA describes all wounds on Rudi's head. Numerous sharp & blunt force wounds. DrA could see brain tissue with naked eye.
Henri holds head with both hands, still slumped over.

DrA described massive head injury of Rudi. Deep laceration of L back side of brain tissue from sheer force to that side of head.
DrA says Rudi suffered from severe skull (fractures) leading to bleeding & brain damage which caused death.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

This is pretty heavy going, I don't blame anyone not reading it thoroughly.

All I'm thinking and hoping is that J Desai takes the suffering inflicted before death into consideration with sentencing, increases it as much as possible.

 

[JudgeJudi]

Henri now has his head in his hands, appears to be crying.

Rudi was wearing blue striped boxer shorts. Considered "sleep wear".

Dr Anthony says skull examination found evidence of hemorrhage and fractures.

When she removed the brain, found evidence of contusions, linear fractures.

In brain examination, found hemorrhaging, deep laceration of lateral aspect, didn't note brain swelling.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/live-van-breda-axe-murder-trial-day-18-20170525

 

[JudgeJudi]

Dr Anthony is handed the axe used in murders.

She says its heavy, chop wounds caused by sharp edge, and if inflicted with a tremendous amount of force and speed, is possible to inflict the type of injuries described.

You need to be strong to do this, and depends on how you handle it. Considerable amount of force. Need to be strong to handle this thing.

[Botha said HvB was strong]

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/live-van-breda-axe-murder-trial-day-18-20170525

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/Traceyams

Tracey Stewart‏ @Traceyams 2m2 minutes ago

Judge Desai: would person wielding it have to be strong, Dr A: not necessarily but it is heavy you need to be strong

Adv G now refers Dr Anthony to Martin's post mortem
Evidence of external shock and blunt trauma involved the head and central upper back no evidence of defensive wounds
In this case indication that individual wasn't immediately dead with the trauma as he still inhaled blood aspirated to lungs
No other internal injuries just head injuries, he had a middle enlarged heart but that was natural pathology observation
Dr A cause of death was head injury and consequences thereof, skull injury and severe blood loss
Adv G: the defence has admitted all of your findings
The injuries on the head - the first two large lacerations that fit the description of the chop wound mentioned
Infliction of the trauma was most likely from behind
Dr A: the wounds on Martin are consistent with being hit from behind
DrA: the external wound I had to bring in context of skull fractures but dimensions are large as is skull fractures
Martin was wearing multi colored boxer shorts, sleep wear
DrA: no evidence of defensive wounds noted nothing on hand nothing on fingers, most likely not aware of the attack
Dr A: Most likely unaware and surprised by the attack

@CapeTownEtc



https://twitter.com/AJGMolyneaux

Anthony Molyneaux‏ @AJGMolyneaux 2m2 minutes ago @TimesLIVE

Martin was hit from behind causing sharp force injuries at back of head & central, upper back where it meets neck.
DrA says dimensions of Marin's wounds are large wounds, meaning force was considerably large.
Martin had no wounds on his hands, wrists & forearms. DrA says the Martin was surprised by attack as no defensive wounds.


( I think he was shielding his son, Rudi )

 

[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/Traceyams

Tracey Stewart‏ @Traceyams 3m3 minutes ago @CapeTownEtc

We now move on to the report on Terese Van Breda
Wounds on her nose, and back. Evidence of a defensive wound on right posterior aspect of thumb
Evidence of skull fractures, brain injury bleeding between the rib spaces no rib fractures or lung injuries
Teresa probably fell on her left side sustaining contusions on her side
Abrasions mild blunt trauma on nose bridge may indicate that she fell on her face
The contusions on right lumbar area of back also indication that with the fall she may have sustained injuries
On right side aspect of the skull, several lose skull bone fragments present and seen with naked eye
Underlying brain tissue visible with the naked eye. Heavy object sharp force moving with tremendous amount of force
2nd wound 65mm by 14 mm on the right front parietal aspect of the skull.
Defensive wound 20mm incise wound caused by a sharp object on the inside part of the right thumb suggesting to ward off attack
while the wound to the top of her head was inflicted she was likely raising her hand to ward off the attack indicative that while that wound was inflicted the victim was facing her attacker

This victim had no evidence of blood in the stomach and airways.Indication that most likely she was dead or instantly unconscious
Indicating that she died fairly quickly

 

[JudgeJudi]

We move onto the post-mortem of Martin Van Breda.

Martin Van Breda's injuries:

- External exam: evidence of sharp and blunt on central upper back and head. No evidence of defensive wounds.

- Skull fractures and injuries to base of skull, he too was not immediately dead after head trauma, he still inhaled blood for it to be aspirated into the lungs.

- Blood in stomach, not dead immediately after infliction of trauma, no other internal injuries.

- Organs failed, indicates individual bled out.

- Cause of death also head injury and consequences thereof. Skull and brain injuries and bleeding out.

- Chop wound in upper back, and also laceration on back of the head. Inflicted trauma most likely from behind

- Shape of wound is half moon, an incised wound, meaning sharp force injury.

- Dimensions show it was large wounds. Amount of force was considerate.

- No evidence indicating defensive wounds

Martin was dressed in multicoloured striped boxer shorts, blood stained. Most likely not aware of the attack, completely surpsrised by it. No evidence of protecting vital parts, Dr Anthony explains.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/live-van-breda-axe-murder-trial-day-18-20170525

 

[JudgeJudi]

We move on to Teresa van Breda's post-mortem.

Teresa van Breda's injuries:

- Dr Anthony says external evidence of sharp and blunt trauma to head

- Small focal abrasions on nose bridge and contusions on back

- Evidence of defensive wound with incised wound on the thumb. Indication that the victim attempted to ward off an attack.

- Evidence of skull fractures, brain injury.

- Severe blood loss

- No other internal injuries

- Organs also pale, suggestion of extensive loss of blood.

Cause of death head injury and the consequences thereof.

Contusion is a form of blunt trauma. She probably fell on her left side, sustaining contusions on the lateral aspect of her chest.

The abrasions form of blunt trauma, mild, on nose bridge may indicate she fell on her face. Could have had impact on her nose. Contusion on back indicate she may have with the fall sustained injuries to her lower back.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/live-van-breda-axe-murder-trial-day-18-20170525

 

[JudgeJudi]

Court adjourned for tea.

 

[Marples]

https://twitter.com/Traceyams

Tracey Stewart‏ @Traceyams 2m2 minutes ago

Judge Desai: would person wielding it have to be strong, Dr A: not necessarily but it is heavy you need to be strong

Adv G now refers Dr Anthony to Martin's post mortem
Evidence of external shock and blunt trauma involved the head and central upper back no evidence of defensive wounds
In this case indication that individual wasn't immediately dead with the trauma as he still inhaled blood aspirated to lungs
No other internal injuries just head injuries, he had a middle enlarged heart but that was natural pathology observation
Dr A cause of death was head injury and consequences thereof, skull injury and severe blood loss
Adv G: the defence has admitted all of your findings
The injuries on the head - the first two large lacerations that fit the description of the chop wound mentioned
Infliction of the trauma was most likely from behind
Dr A: the wounds on Martin are consistent with being hit from behind
DrA: the external wound I had to bring in context of skull fractures but dimensions are large as is skull fractures
Martin was wearing multi colored boxer shorts, sleep wear
DrA: no evidence of defensive wounds noted nothing on hand nothing on fingers, most likely not aware of the attack
Dr A: Most likely unaware and surprised by the attack

@CapeTownEtc



https://twitter.com/AJGMolyneaux

Anthony Molyneaux‏ @AJGMolyneaux 2m2 minutes ago @TimesLIVE

Martin was hit from behind causing sharp force injuries at back of head & central, upper back where it meets neck.
DrA says dimensions of Marin's wounds are large wounds, meaning force was considerably large.
Martin had no wounds on his hands, wrists & forearms. DrA says the Martin was surprised by attack as no defensive wounds.


( I think he was shielding his son, Rudi )

Attacked from behind - with an axe no less. Sickening cowardice and even more harrowing if he was trying to shield his son. How dare HvB hang his head and carry on this way! Sounds like he had no trouble looking his Mum in the eye as he killed her. He should be made to watch the testimony. Playing the victim.


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