NOT GUILTY South Africa - Anni Dewani, 28, shot to death, Gugulethu, 13 Nov 2010 #5

[PrimeSuspect]

Not long now before we know what the judge intends. I do hope she doesn't throw the case out. There are many questions that cause concern and I really want to hear what SD has to say. I think you all know that I find believing newspaper reports alone very difficult. I don't want to see a guilty man freed but equally I don't want to see a man convicted on anything but factual evidence.

I have been rereading the SA court proceedings so far and am troubled by certain facts. One which I have mentioned before is that I think it very odd indeed that the money was never mentioned until fairly late on but to counter that I ask myself if he wanted out of the relationship (purportedly said to the German master) why did he not take advantage of one of the three occasions that Anni broke off the engagement. All he had to do was walk away at that point but as far as I can see it was he who wanted the relationship to continue. That, to me, is not indicative of somebody who wants the relationship over and done with by arranging a murder.

I know I have mentioned before, divorce by Hindus who have been born/educated in Europe, and have become affluent, is not uncommon when they are unhappy with their marriage. We see plenty enough in the UK. If you remember Anni had on a number of occasions mentioned divorce. There is not the stigma attached to it as once there was, unless one still lives in India where it is viewed differently, as it is between uneducated Hindus.

I see him, and he admits it, as a control freak and perfectionist but also we hear that Anni has quite a temper (rather like her father) and was very argumentative. There was no dowry and SD is financially very secure - so money doesn't enter into the equation AFAICS.

I agree somewhat, but I have this niggling feeling which I admit is influenced by the Hindu Indian community, that SD was pressured to pursue Anni for marriage.

When SD's family first met up with Anni's family in his parent's home, his sister-in-law came down the stairs with a bowl of flowers (a tradition meaning a marriage proposal) which surprised Anni. Imo, that seems forceful, putting her on the spot. There just seemed to be too much pressure and influence by these families. SD did go to temple, he did publicly honour his Hindu traditions which were in odds with his lifestyle, a risk he'd taken for many years.

In the transcript, Preyen Dewani, imo, appears to be 'normal' even though he made the racist comments. SD is racist too, (an inverted racist which shouldn't be ignored). Preyen asks the right questions like an ordinary person but he supposedly tried to get hold of the CCTV footage of SD meeting Tongo. Did he do this for his brother or for his parents (who must be pretty broken up)?

So to cut to the chase, imo, it's about freedom, at any cost. If Anni's murder was never solved, SD would go to temple as a grieving widower, continue to have gay relationships secretly, and never be pressured again to marry. Maybe, it's that simple. :dunno:

If we look at the alternative, it's a wonder SD's survived this long, he's traveled to Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, USA, France, India etc, and he hasn't been mugged? He explains to his brother in the recording about having the same driver everyday in Cape Town, I thought his brother was genuinely confused. Imo, this is why he doesn't admit that Tongo accompanied him to the money exchange, only a fool would allow a stranger to witness wads of cash in their wallet. SD too trusting and naive? That flies in the face of a control freak. :tantrum:

JMO

 

[Interested Bystander]

I agree somewhat, but I have this niggling feeling which I admit is influenced by the Hindu Indian community, that SD was pressured to pursue Anni for marriage.

When SD's family first met up with Anni's family in his parent's home, his sister-in-law came down the stairs with a bowl of flowers (a tradition meaning a marriage proposal) which surprised Anni. Imo, that seems forceful, putting her on the spot. There just seemed to be too much pressure and influence by these families. SD did go to temple, he did publicly honour his Hindu traditions which were in odds with his lifestyle, a risk he'd taken for many years.

In the transcript, Preyen Dewani, imo, appears to be 'normal' even though he made the racist comments. SD is racist too, (an inverted racist which shouldn't be ignored). Preyen asks the right questions like an ordinary person but he supposedly tried to get hold of the CCTV footage of SD meeting Tongo. Did he do this for his brother or for his parents (who must be pretty broken up)?

So to cut to the chase, imo, it's about freedom, at any cost. If Anni's murder was never solved, SD would go to temple as a grieving widower, continue to have gay relationships secretly, and never be pressured again to marry. Maybe, it's that simple. :dunno:

If we look at the alternative, it's a wonder SD's survived this long, he's traveled to Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, USA, France, India etc, and he hasn't been mugged? He explains to his brother in the recording about having the same driver everyday in Cape Town, I thought his brother was genuinely confused. Imo, this is why he doesn't admit that Tongo accompanied him to the money exchange, only a fool would allow a stranger to witness wads of cash in their wallet. SD too trusting and naive? That flies in the face of a control freak. :tantrum:

JMO

I think the traditional marriage was to appease the elders of both families. It is the younger generation that are more likely to divorce if there are insurmountable problems, probably because educated Hindu women are now able to provide for themselves whereas once they were almost slaves to their husbands. The educated, employed (and very clever to boot) female Hindus, take no truck from their other halves now. One might suggest about time too. Of course, I accept there are still marriages where the old rules prevail. However, Anni was well educated and she certainly made it known when she did not like what SD did. That was unheard of at one time within a Hindu marriage. The wife was little more than a servant who obeyed the husband (and husband's family) without question. Things have definitely moved on.

Some Indians are very racist and it is not skin colour that determines this. We have trouble in Reading (about 30 miles from us) where Pakistani and Indians kill each other at times. Religion plays its part, of course.

There are heaps of unanswered question so I have my fingers crossed for Monday. Some probably have simple answers, and some definitely not, but my concern is that we will never know and if he is guilty he may swan off into his sunset doing exactly what he pleases.

 

[zwiebel]

This will be a dreadful weekend for the Hindocha family. My thoughts are with them.

 

[JudgeJudi]

On Thursday the Justice Minister acknowledged receipt of a petition calling for the recusal of Judge Traverso.

“His spokesman said he would study the “Justice4Anni” group's comprehensive petition and respond accordingly.

However, we need to indicate that the matter is before a court of law and therefore subject to judicial determination by the said presiding judge and it would be inappropriate for the minister to comment on the case,” he said.

The minister also respects the independence of the judiciary as enshrined in our Constitution.

Justice4Anni compiled a 22-page dossier on Traverso's conduct during the trial, analysing live tweets from journalists, live news feeds on websites, and news articles.

While it had obtained briefs from individuals who attended court proceedings, it had not directly accessed the official court record.

It believed Traverso had refused to allow key prosecution evidence from being submitted without explanation and had made an incorrect statement in court”.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/dewani-petition-handed-to-minister-1.1790990#.VIKhrixxnBx

 

[JudgeJudi]

The parents of Reeva Steenkamp denied calling for SD to testify in his murder trial, their attorney said on Saturday.

“They have never supported any calls for Dewani to give evidence or for the trial to proceed,” Tania Koen said in a statement.

This was after a newspaper report to this effect on Saturday.

She confirmed that Reeva's father, Barry, had offered emotional support to Anni's father and said that they had discussed similarities in the cases over their daughters' killings.

She denied that the Steenkamps were dissatisfied with the judgement in OP's case and that they were appealing the judgement and sentence.

“Mr. and Mrs. Steenkamp place on record that they do not want to interfere or have anything to do with the Dewani court case and that they make no appeal whatsoever to the Judge.

Mr. Steenkamp has in fact informed Mr. Hindocha that they have received legal advice to not comment at all on the Dewani case.

They just want to be left alone and will not talk to anybody about this,” she said.

Earlier, the Justice Minister said he would not take action over a petition calling for the recusal of Judge Traverso".

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/steenkamps-deny-dewani-case-meddling-1.1791809#.VIP8DCxxnBw

 

[JudgeJudi]

Anni was gorgeous even when she was tiny tot.

 

[newone]

Anni was gorgeous even when she was tiny tot.

yes....what a little cutie she was.....little darling...

 

[JudgeJudi]

Then we go from that adorable little girl to this ...

 

[JudgeJudi]

Anni with Sneha - her cousin, confidante and closest friend with whom she shared her most intimate secrets.

 

[eimajjjj]

Steenkamps deny saying Dewani should take stand

http://citizen.co.za/288320/steenkamps-deny-meddling-dewani-case/#.VIQJvjVGNgY.twitter

 

[PrimeSuspect]

Dewani judge calls in cameras

SHRIEN DEWANI’S trial could be televised for the first time tomorrow, as expectations mount that the British businessman will be acquitted of murdering his wife Anni on their honeymoon.

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto...e1492522.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2014_12_06

It appears the trial will be dismissed by the judge. Back to the U.K for SD.

It's all over for the Hindochas and they will move on with their life.

 

[newone]

Dewani judge calls in cameras

SHRIEN DEWANI’S trial could be televised for the first time tomorrow, as expectations mount that the British businessman will be acquitted of murdering his wife Anni on their honeymoon.

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto...e1492522.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2014_12_06

It appears the trial will be dismissed by the judge. Back to the U.K for SD.

It's all over for the Hindochas and they will move on with their life.

interesting that NOW of all times cameras are suddenly allowed === don't have a good feeling about this at all

 

[Estelle]

So the foregone conclusion is that today Dewani will be found innocent and will immediately be able to fly back to the UK!

I will be watching the civil trail with interest as only 70% proof is required.

 

[JudgeJudi]

Justice4AnniHindocha @Justice4Anni · 11h 11 hours ago
#Dewani trial: Verdict on Dewani's application to dismiss the case will be broadcast live tomorrow at 10am (SA...

http://fb.me/1u0ouGPpZ (Watch eNCA live - 24 hour news service)

 

[JudgeJudi]

Will today be the last day of this long, drawn-out saga? I sincerely hope not. Too many questions remain unanswered. If Traverso allows SD to testify, at least we'll hear his side of the story, and surely his is the most important story of all.

Anni's wedding day should have been the happiest day of her life. Like Reeva, she was ready to settle down and have a family.

 

[newone]

Justice4AnniHindocha @Justice4Anni · 11h 11 hours ago
#Dewani trial: Verdict on Dewani's application to dismiss the case will be broadcast live tomorrow at 10am (SA...

http://fb.me/1u0ouGPpZ (Watch eNCA live - 24 hour news service)

thanks for that -- I was looking for start time....

 

[zwiebel]

Ah hour to go...

 

[newone]

Ah hour to go...

hot tea -- is all I have to offer (along w/shortbread) sure miss those amazing breakfasts we had at the OP trials -- made my mouth water -

 

[zwiebel]

kevinjohnbrandt (@kevinjohnbrandt) tweeted at 7:31am - 8 Dec 14:

Media camped outside court awaiting Shrien Dewani's arrival #DewaniTrial @ANN7tv pic.twitter.com/00ZX91Kh0o (https://twitter.com/kevinjohnbrandt/status/541842549401325568?s=17)

 

[zwiebel]

Just realised one of those reporters is waving to us in that photo.

Where can I get a live feed, I wonder?