South Africa - Anni Dewani, 28, shot to death, Gugulethu, 13 Nov 2010 #1

[Estelle]

Dewani: Last thing I said to Anni was to be quiet

http://www.itv.com/news/story/2014-10-06/murder-trial-of-shrien-dewani-begins-in-south-africa/

 

[zwiebel]

andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) tweeted at 11:00am - 6 Oct 14:

So a detailed version of what happened that night. Will the prosecution be able to prove it could not reasonably, possibly, be true? (https://twitter.com/BBCAndrewH/status/519049605997424640)

*Think Harding referencing Oscar Pistorius trial with that phrase

 

[Estelle]

Aislinn Laing
@Simmoa
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Dewani concludes by reiterating that he's not guilty. Mr van Zyl says he's made a number of admissions to make the trial shorter.

 

[zwiebel]

andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) tweeted at 11:02am - 6 Oct 14:

Dewani later met Tongo, felt "sorry for him" and planned to give him some money. #dewanitrial (https://twitter.com/BBCAndrewH/status/519050051185025024)

 

[Estelle]

Ruth Maclean
@ruthmaclean
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Tongo said the media had been hounding him and Dewani "felt sorry for him". Decided to give him 1000 rand

 

[JudgeJudi]

All tweets by Andrew Harding - https://twitter.com/BBCAndrewH

Prosecutor says "we're ready to proceed." He lists charges against Shrien Dewani. Conspiracy, kidnapping... murder...

Dewani appears calm. Wearing black suit, white shirt, black tie. Appears to be reading charge sheet over prosecutor's shoulder.

No hint of stress from Dewani. Shoulders relaxed. Breathing gently. Hands resting on dock. #dewanitrial

5th charge - that Dewani lied about circumstances of Anni's death. #dewanitrial

How do you plead? "Not guilty to all 5 counts," says Dewani, in a level voice. #dewanitrial

Dewani sits as his defence lawyer van Zyl adds details to his "not guilty" pleas. #dewanitrial

"I deny that i conspired... to commit the offences," says Dewani through lawyer. #dewanitrial

I plead not guilty to this charge of murder. #dewanitrial

"My sexuality - i've had sexual interaction with both males and females. consider myself to be bi-sexual," says dewani's lawyer.

Dewani: My relationship with Anni - "instantly physically attracted to her... mutual chemistry. Both headstrong. Often argued."

Dewani mentions medical problem re reproduction. "I discussed my problem with Anni."

"Our relationship cooled down" early in 2010, only to improve later. #dewanitrial

 

[zwiebel]

andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) tweeted at 11:04am - 6 Oct 14:

Dewani gave present to Tongo, who said "he was sorry for what happened." #dewanitrial (https://twitter.com/BBCAndrewH/status/519050464139427840)

 

[Estelle]

David Smith
@SmithInAfrica
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Dewani statement: I received a call from Tongo. Sounded very down. He said he had no car or money and didn't know how he's going to survive.

 

[Estelle]

Dewani gave 1000 rand to taxi driver because he 'felt sorry for him'

http://www.itv.com/news/story/2014-10-06/murder-trial-of-shrien-dewani-begins-in-south-africa/

 

[zwiebel]

Defence done, teabreak now.

Lawyers requested family details be deleted from records to prevent media publishing them.

 

[zwiebel]

andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) tweeted at 11:09am - 6 Oct 14:

"Unfortunately the media tend to run ahead" of court proceedings, says prosecutor, asking for list of witnesses not to be disclosed. (https://twitter.com/BBCAndrewH/status/519051898532667392)

 

[zwiebel]

andrew harding (@BBCAndrewH) tweeted at 11:10am - 6 Oct 14:

Tea break, after which photos of crime scene will be shown in court. #dewanitrial (https://twitter.com/BBCAndrewH/status/519051997165928449)

 

[Really?]

ah......the inevitable tea break.:sweep:

 

[JudgeJudi]

All tweets by Andrew Harding - https://twitter.com/BBCAndrewH

Dewani paints picture of plans for renovating 2 marital homes in Bristol and London and lavish wedding preparations.

End of May 2010... couple had "angry disagreement." #dewanitrial

Mr Dewani says Anni was supportive of his hormone treatment, despite unpleasant side effects, and so were her parents whom he met

Dewani smiles in the dock, then starts to cry, as lawyer reads letter he sent to Anni about their relationship. #dewanitrial

"I have tears in my eyes as I write this" reads van Zyl. "I really do love you. Want to be with you forever."

Dewani wipes tears in dock.

Dewani painting picture here of a complicated, up-and-down, but sincere relationship. #dewanitrial

Dewani describes Las Vegas stag party. Anni was "overwhelmed and stressed" by wedding preparations and lack of her own hen party.

We were opinionated and liked to control every detail, says Dewani describing rows about wedding plans. #dewanitrial

Dewani says Anni wanted to call wedding off over disagreements. "I was extremely upset." "She said i was too controlling."

Although "we really frustrated each other, we were in love," says Dewani, via lawyer. #dewanitrial

We were keen to start a family, says Dewani, saying Anni consulted Bristol doctor about the matter. #dewanitrial

South Africa honeymoon was kept as a "surprise" for Anni, says Dewani. #dewanitrial

Flexible first class tickets to South Africa, says Dewani, describing various cash withdrawals that may later prove important in trial.

 

[JudgeJudi]

All tweets by Andrew Harding - https://twitter.com/BBCAndrewH

Dewani now describes meeting taxi driver - Zola Tongo - already convicted for murder. #dewanitrial

Driver Zola Tongo told Dewani he was "an executive tour guide."

Tongo suggested various Cape Town tours and visits to couple. On arrival at hotel, Anni went in while Dewani paid driver. #dewanitrial

Dewani asked Tongo for private helicopter tour to surprise Anni. #dewanitrial

Dewani told Tongo the couple would be in Cape Town for "a few days."

Dewani paints detailed picture of his own wealthy lifestyle - and by implication, the temptation it might have presented to Tongo.

Zola seemed "knowledgeable... respectful" says Dewani. Then mentions his own plan to change money at better rate at shopping mall.

Dewani describes joking conversation with Anni about her father's credit card, and whether she should now return it to him since married.

Tongo about helicopter ride and payment - again, important to defence case re. why gave money to him.

Dewani took 5000 pounds to change money with Tongo's help to get good rate at market. #dewanitrial

Dewani says Tongo told him about "romantic" restaurant outside Cape Town, where couple went on night of murder.

Dewani got receptionist to book romantic table for 2 at restaurant. #dewanitrial

Dewani says the couple were carrying a large amount of cash with them that night. #dewanitrial

Dewani said couple were "laughing and joking" as they set off on city tour prior to romantic dinner. #dewanitrial

Tongo suggested they go to street restaurant where chef Jamie Oliver had been. They briefly visited it but didn't get out of car.

Dewani describes changing mind and going to another restaurant. outside, Tongo texted him, then asked if he still had money for helicopter.

 

[zwiebel]

Thanks for filling in all the Harding tweets Judgejudi. I'm really struggling with my ipad at the moment because of a bad upgrade.

 

[zwiebel]

Dewani's story about giving cash to the taxi driver out of pity sounds unlikely to me. Would have thought all his thoughts would have been on Annie. But I daren't even guess if judge will accept it, after what happened at Oscar's trial.

 

[JudgeJudi]

All tweets by Andrew Harding - https://twitter.com/BBCAndrewH

Dewani's version clear - that his texts with Tongo were about helicopter ride, not about plotting to kill Anni.

Now Dewani says stress etc of last few years have "impacted on my memory" of next few hours. i.e.. murder itself.

Dewani suggesting Tongo kept texting him to confirm he had helicopter money with him. We turned off motorway...

Next thing... someone next to me told me to lie hand. Had gun in hand. Waving in air. Said "look down lie down." We were both terrified.

I remember watch going off right wrist. At some point shouts of "phone.. money." Anni whispered that she was hiding rings in car.

He searched me and found phone. He got angry. Said not to lie or I will shoot you. Never been close to real gun before. #dewanitrial

I was ordered to sit up. On motorway. Driver had yellow gloves. Told to lie down. Anni was screaming. #dewanitrial

We were told they were not going to hurt us. They just wanted the car.... Take this ring, Dewani told men. #dewanitrial

They shouted at me to get out. I refused. Insisted we both had to stay together. Put gun to my head and threatened to shoot me. #dewanitrial

Last thing i said to Anni was to be quiet and nothing would happen. In dock, Dewani breaths heavily, eyes closed.

Dewani asked people for help. Found policeman. Drove around looking for van. Tried to call abroad on police phone. #dewanitrial

Dewani taken back to his hotel by police. Told that they'd find the car via security cameras. #dewanitrial

I saw Tongo - he seemed to be actively helping the police, said Dewani. #dewanitrial

In morning, Dewani went to his room and waited. Then told that Anni was dead and "my whole world came crashing down." #dewanitrial

So a detailed version of what happened that night. Will the prosecution be able to prove it could not reasonably, possibly, be true?

Dewani later met Tongo, felt "sorry for him" and planned to give him some money. #dewanitrial

Dewani gave present to Tongo, who said "he was sorry for what happened." #dewanitrial

And with that, the defence's dramatic statement is done. Dewani confirms to Judge that he stands by it. #dewanitrial

 

[zwiebel]

The_Citizen_Reporter (@CitiReporter) tweeted at 11:09am - 6 Oct 14:

Ok, we're going t receive copies of statement,subject to cell numbers and email addresses being removed #dewanitrial #citi - ^AW (https://twitter.com/CitiReporter/status/519051880308432896)

 

[zwiebel]

The_Citizen_Reporter (@CitiReporter) tweeted at 11:10am - 6 Oct 14:

No photos during court, no access to witness list, no no no. Behave or its over basically #Dewanitrial #citi - ^AW (https://twitter.com/CitiReporter/status/519052140359471104)