GUILTY South Africa - Jayde Panayiotou, 28, Port Elizabeth, 21 April 2015

[JudgeJudi]

The witness goes through all the base stations. It's this info that the state will rely on to prove its case against the alleged hitmen

MS asks Heyneke to explain how a base station covers a specific area & how this affects calls made

Vodacom receives its info from the base stations. There can be a 20m variant in the base stations

Would Vodacom make data available without a court order? "No, my Lord"

Heyneke says in this case, she received a subpoena for each section of the info released. The court is shown an example of the court order

https://twitter.com/KathrynReporter

 

[JudgeJudi]

She liaised with the police's technical support unit

Once Vodacom approves the request, the info can be downloaded

MS asks Heyneke to take the court through the billing placed on screen. She says this is the data released to the police

The data includes incoming & outgoing calls. GPRS info, every time the phone connects to internet (Facebook, emails etc)

The info also includes the profile or history of SIM card dating back to 2009

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[JudgeJudi]

Looking at the sim & IMEI number, this particular sim has been placed in various handsets

This SIM card belonged to a part contract

The info also shows the type of handset in which the sim was inserted

The first period looked at is Sept 2013 to April 29 2014

PH explains how there could be a time lapse on data if you for example log onto facebook while your emails are still open

Counsel asks for a short adjournment

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[JudgeJudi]

Court resumes. Heyneke is shown another page of cellphone billing

The info was then supplied by Vodacom to cellphone expert Thereza Botha in excel format

Data is 99.9% accurate. There may be a failure from let's say, a lightning strike. But the system cannot generate data that doesn't exist.

The state has no further questions. Court adjourns for lunch until 2:15pm

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[JudgeJudi]

She lists her various diplomas. TP remarks "that's not bad"

Do any of those make you a cellphone expert? "No but I have been extensively trained by Vodacom"

TP says it's easier to adapt an excel document than a PDF. Heyneke agrees

TP asks if Heyneke herself measured distance between base stations & reception area. She says she did via the maps, which are drawn to scale

Is it unheard of to see SIM change phones, suggest criminality? "Its unusual to me, but may be done by others. Often see it in these cases"

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[JudgeJudi]

TP asks if it would be illegal for state to obtain billing info prior to section 205 order. Heyneke agrees

TP has no further questions. Needs to consult with his own cellphone expert.
PD resumes cross-examination

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[JudgeJudi]

PD asks for a copy of Heyneke's CV. She will make it available to the court. PD first wants to deal with base stations

PD says how a base station operates is dependent on the equipment installed. This does not fall into Heyneke's expertise

PD says for the accused to verify that equipment used was functioning correctly, they need access to it.

[I'm getting heartily sick of this defence team. Next thing you know PD will be asking when the tower was built, how many men were employed on the job and what were their qualifications.]

Heyneke says the equipment is installed. Data is not produced manually, done by existing equipment installed

You agree that you're not a technican or scientist? "I'm not a scientist, technician or engineer"

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[JudgeJudi]

So you base all your findings on your inhouse training? "That is correct"

You did not go out to the various towers & test the range?
"That is correct. Have access to the system installed"

So your evidence is not from your personal knowledge.
"No person can draw up a map without obtaining the info from somewhere"

So how can you possibly confirm the accuracy of these maps if you did not physically obtain the data?
"I obtained info from Vodacom system"

"I cannot see why they would feed info into system that is incorrect or not useful"

So you are saying it's correct because Vodacom says so?
"Correct. There is no other way for me to variety (sic - ? verify) the info"

[I really wish Judge Chetty would intervene. This is getting absurd]

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[JudgeJudi]

Does the range of the base station depend on handset or is that too technical for you?
"It does depend. If you're not using a 3G phone etc"

PD says you can tune down or extend the range of a base station.
Heyneke agrees. That's why she ensured data on maps was relevant to 2015

What influences what tower a base station connects to? Topography, demographics. How much traffic passes through, how many users

What influences what tower a cellphone connects to?
"Topography, demographics, traffic passing through, number of cell users, weather"

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[JudgeJudi]

Data will search for next tower if phone is not connecting, whereas you can't do this during a normal call. Call will be dropped

The maximum range of a base station is 34km

PD asks for an adjournment at this stage to consult with his own experts

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[PrimeSuspect]

https://twitter.com/alzammer

Daubermann asks what these panels are called? PH says they are called panels

(This is ridiculous JJ, almost comical if it wasn't so tragic!)

 

[JudgeJudi]

Chetty asks when PD will be ready to proceed.
PD says he shouldn't be restrained.

Chetty: "I'm only asking when you'll be ready"

TP asks court to make an order that the SD card used during the sting video be made available. MS says he is in the process of obtaining it.

TP also wants the log book or tracker to show who booked out & brought the sting vehicle from EL to PE

Court adjourns until 9:30am tomorrow

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[JudgeJudi]

My voodoo doll is going to be sitting on my desk tomorrow night and I'll be using darning needles.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

My voodoo doll is going to be sitting on my desk tomorrow night and I'll be using darning needles.

LOL

I searched for info on Terry Price, similar trademark booming voice like Botha to intimidate their witnesses!!

Christopher Panayiotou’s lawyer Advocate Terry Price - His presence is somewhat larger than life. His booming voice can be heard in the corridors of the courthouse before he is seen.
...
Price was a junior advocate on the team representing Stellenbosch murder accused Fred van der Vyver, who was tried for the 2005 murder of his girlfriend, Inge Lotz.

While the evidence against him seemed overwhelming, his lawyers managed to turn the tables on the police, accusing them of fabricating evidence.

http://www.heraldlive.co.za/panayiotou-rolepayers/2016/10/11/terry-price/

(this is what Price and Botha work towards even to the point of absurdity no matter how damning the evidence is, it's their dream to have every case thrown out. )

 

[JudgeJudi]

https://twitter.com/KathrynReporter

Summary of Substantial Facts

 

[JudgeJudi]

https://twitter.com/KathrynReporter

Summary of Substantial Facts

 

[JudgeJudi]

https://twitter.com/KathrynReporter

Summary of Substantial Facts

 

[JudgeJudi]

https://twitter.com/KathrynReporter

Summary of Substantial Facts

 

[JudgeJudi]

https://twitter.com/KathrynReporter

Summary of Substantial Facts

 

[JudgeJudi]

https://twitter.com/KathrynReporter

Summary of Substantial Facts