Where is everyone? I found this latter evidence really interesting. I was very surprised earlier on in the trial to learn that Rudi's body was found near the door to the bathroom after he'd been so savagely attacked. His bed was furthest from the bathroom.
According to Henri, Martin threw himself over Rudi and Martin was then attacked from behind. This means that Rudi had to crawl out from underneath his father's body, get to the floor and drag himself along the floor towards the bathroom. The evidence must have been obvious to Joubert that he had in fact been dragged. Cross-examination is going to be riveting.
It will be fascinating to hear from HvB or Botha how blood from Rudi, Henry and Teresa all ended up in various locations in the shower. HvB never said in his Initial Statement or Plea Explanation that he showered or washed off any blood before going downstairs.
Sterling work JJ, many thanks.
Where is everyone? I found this latter evidence really interesting. I was very surprised earlier on in the trial to learn that Rudi's body was found near the door to the bathroom after he'd been so savagely attacked. His bed was furthest from the bathroom.
According to Henri, Martin threw himself over Rudi and Martin was then attacked from behind. This means that Rudi had to crawl out from underneath his father's body, get to the floor and drag himself along the floor towards the bathroom. The evidence must have been obvious to Joubert that he had in fact been dragged. Cross-examination is going to be riveting.
It will be fascinating to hear from HvB or Botha how blood from Rudi, Henry and Teresa all ended up in various locations in the shower. HvB never said in his Initial Statement or Plea Explanation that he showered or washed off any blood before going downstairs.
https://twitter.com/Traceyams
B: Implore your lordship, should you grant postponement there must be finality in this matter
Desai would like to consider courts position in respect of this application for postponement in light of it being 2nd occasion
(Defence are now in a hurry, funds running out? So Botha wants it wrapped up immediately?) :fishy:
Desai should tell the defence to open their case if they want something to do this week.
http://www.capetownetc.com/news/van-breda-trial-blood-splatter-expert/
This is a link to Traceyams (Tracey Stewart) report, which is always worth a read. However, she seems to suggest that Henri said he was standing near his brother and father when they were attacked. Is this correct? My memory recalls that Henri stated he was peeping through the door of the bathroom when Rudi and Martin were being attacked. There is no way blood spurts from them could have ended up on his shorts and socks if this were to be true.
Tracey is normally spot on so have I missed/forgotten something? Has anyone else read that Henri was standing nearby R and M. Tracey says it was in his version. I do not have that to hand but will track it down.
Found it. Henri said he was standing close to the end of his bed when his father was attacked.
http://www.news24.com/You/Archive/t...-attacked-by-a-laughing-axe-murderer-20170728
AND (as I remember it)
"In court on Monday the 21-year-old pleaded not guilty, claiming he watched helpless through a crack in a bathroom door as a silhouetted man wielding an axe murdered his loved ones."
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...parents-axe-murder-testify.html#ixzz4sPA7JfU6
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Sorry for the length but it should all be included. This is what he said:
Initial Statement:
5
While I was inside the toilet I heard a noise from outside and can also hear that the noise was coming from my room where my brother was also sleeping because the noise was close. I opened the toilet door slightly and saw in the dark that someone was hitting RUDI. I then stand there afraid to go out of the toilet. I then started to shout for help. My father then arrived at the room and turned on the lights and I then saw that this person had an axe in his hand and that was the item that he was hitting RUDI with on the bed. My father MARTIN then saw the whole thing happening and my father then jumped on the person and then the person started to assault the father with the axe. RUDI was just lying on the bed while this person was hitting my father with the axe. I was still standing in the bedroom with the lights on looking of what is happening in front of me. My father then collapse in my room where this person was attacking him.
Plea Explanation
"I opened the bathroom door and looked in the direction of the banging sounds which emanated from the vicinity of Rudis bed. I could make out the silhouette of someone standing next to (between our two beds) or partially on Rudis bed. This person was busy attacking Rudi with an object which later transpired to be an axe. I initially stood frozen, trying to comprehend what was going on. I shouted for help, hoping to attract attention. I cannot remember what words I used. I also cannot recall whether I remained in the same position throughout the attack on Rudi.
The bedroom light was suddenly switched on and my Dad came into the room. At this stage the attack with the axe on Rudi was still going on. As far as I could see, the attacker was dressed in dark clothes and he wore gloves and a balaclava type of mask. My dad immediately moved towards and onto the bed, over Rudi, towards the attacker who was on the opposite side of the bed. It looked as if he was trying to tackle the attacker or at least get between the attacker and Rudi. However, my Dad was struck with the axe as he lunged towards the attacker. His body went limp on the bed and I did not see him move again. Despite this, he was hit a number of times by the attacker with the axe. I also recall that the attacker was laughing whilst he attacked my Dad.
I suddenly heard my Mums voice outside my room saying, Wat gaan hier aan? [What's going on here?] I assumed that the attacker must have heard it too because he then left the room. I could not see what happened outside the room as my view of the door was obstructed by our bedroom wall. The attacker remained outside my field of vision for some time. I am unsure how long but it was not long. I cannot recall whether I heard any sound of an attack on my Mum outside of our room. The attacker then came back into the room and slowly came at me. At that stage I was standing close to the bottom of my bed. He was laughing and seemed almost unconcerned about my presence".
Yes, it's what we've been waiting for, isn't it. I gathered from a previous post by Tortoise that HvB doesn't have to give evidence, and I bet after this he won't.
Apologies for my lack of participation, I've had a tooth extraction/bone graft today, not up to much this evening.
(his baby face expression isn't fooling anyone!!)