South Africa - Martin, 55, Theresa, 54, Rudi van Breda, 22, murdered, 26 Jan 2015 #1

[Interested Bystander]

My trivial thought for the day:- I have a feeling one traditionally wears a watch on the left hand, whether one is right or left handed, due to the crown being on the right side of the watch case. This makes it easy for a right-handers to adjust the hands etc and as right-handers far outnumbered left-handers this determined which side the crown would be manufactured. . For a left-hander it would be cumbersome to try to use the crown when wearing the watch on the right wrist. However, there are so many buttons on modern watches it probably no long applies. I have a feeling there was a watch made years ago that had the crown at 12 o'clock which solved the problem.

 

[JudgeJudi]

I spent quite a bit of time on the left handed / right handed issue and apparently it’s quite contentious for trial purposes. Further research revealed that blood spatter is what is commonly used. I hope the following helps.

Never assume that all the bloodstain patterns belong to the victim. This is particularly true in cases involving multiple stabbings with sharp-edged instruments or weapons. Self-wounding by the offender is a common occurrence. There are some of the classic patterns such as Directionality, Cast-off Bloodstains, Swipe marks, Pattern Transfer, Saturation, Arterial Patterns, Drip Patterns and other examples of bloodstain dynamics.

http://www.practicalhomicide.com/Research/LOmar2007-2.htm

Directionality
It is important to look at directionality, because this will show you which spatter is due to swinging the object backward and which is due to forward motion. If we know where the perpetrator was, we can get a much clearer understanding on whether the person is right handed or left handed.

Blood spatter
From blood spatter, detectives can determine what type of weapon was used, how many times a person was hit with it, whether the assailant was right or left handed, the position of the victim and how they moved during the attack, how long ago the crime was committed, and how long the person lived after their injuries.

Blood begins to dry and clot within 15 minutes (depending on factors such as heat and humidity). The outer edges of droplets tend to dry first and a completely dry droplet may leave a dark ring. How dry the blood is gives the detectives an idea of how long ago the attack happened.

Detectives also look at how dry the blood is. Detectives look at other factors too such as whether or not the blood contains bone or tissues matter (which indicate a high impact splatter). They look for voids or blank spots which may indicate something else (a person maybe) absorbed the blood spatter and then left. They call this shadowing or ghosting.

http://reekoscience.com/science-experiments/miscellaneous/splatter-blood-for-blood-spatter-analysis

Chop wounds
Underlying fractures are also common with chop wounds. Examples of objects that can cause chop wounds include ... axes ...

Sharp force injuries should be classified as stab wounds, incised wounds, or chop wounds.

The direction that blood is cast off relative to the victim can determine whether the attacker is right or left handed, clearly a vital piece of information. It is also possible, in some cases, to determine that a second attacker was involved in an event, even when no other information indicates their presence. The direction that blood is cast off relative to the victim can determine whether the attacker is right or left handed, clearly a vital piece of information. It is also possible, in some cases, to determine that a second attacker was involved in an event, even when no other information indicates their presence. The direction that blood is cast off relative to the victim can determine whether the attacker is right or left handed. It is also possible, in some cases, to determine that a second attacker was involved in an event, even when no other information indicates their presence.

Depressed fractures: In this, portions of fractured bone are driven inwards into the skull cavity. Their pattern often resembles the weapon or agent which caused it. They are caused by blows from heavy weapons with a small striking surface, e.g. stones, sticks, axe, hammer, etc.

Amnesia following head injuries: It is quite common and is usually associated with concussion. The memory of distant events tends to return before the memory of more recent events. Permanent retrograde amnesia may vary from a period of seconds up to 7 days. In cases recovering from concussion, events which occurred just before the injury are sometimes remembered indistinctly during the period of confusion, but there will be complete amnesia for these events after the return of complete consciousness. As such the patient may make false accusations. Retrograde amnesia may also occur in injuries in which there is no loss of consciousness.

http://www.forensicpathologyonline.com/E-Book/injuries-

 

[Interested Bystander]

Very interesting post JJ. Thank you. Here's hoping the forensics are good.

 

[Estelle]

Some good points have been made by all of you here.

However, what do you think of there being a key in the black gate?

Kleynhans said a black gate with a key in it, that would have been used by the intruders to exit the property, was closed.

 

[Estelle]

I was just wondering how HvB has the money to pay for Botha at his age? If he is found guilty, he will not inherit anything. Maybe his uncle is paying hoping HvB is innocent and will be paid back or Botha is acting for HvB on a no win...no fee basis.

 

[Interested Bystander]

Estelle, I couldn't determine if Kleynhans meant the black gate with the key in it was still locked. He said "closed" but that does not preclude it from being unlocked. I have been unable to find any info on whether it was definitely locked or not. I originally did think that maybe HVB had purposely placed the key in the gate as part of "creating his alibi", allowing an easy escape route for the fictional "intruder". The gate would have to be unlocked if the "intruder" used it to escape and, if it was, why would the "intruder" then close it again? So much of what I have heard so far sounds very unlikely IMO.

I am looking forward to his cross examination in the hope he will be tied in knots. Something about him suggests he may not be the brightest star in the sky!

 

[PrimeSuspect]

I was just wondering how HvB has the money to pay for Botha at his age? If he is found guilty, he will not inherit anything. Maybe his uncle is paying hoping HvB is innocent and will be paid back or Botha is acting for HvB on a no win...no fee basis.

HvB stands to inherit half share of nearly $20 million, great incentive for Botha to be his advocate, he's probably asking an exorbitant amount no matter what happens ...... plus the appeals etc. The uncle might be paying court fees and maybe, there's an agreement with Marli to reimburse him when she receives the inheritance. Imo, I don't think she'll be able to make her own decisions without influence from the family.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

Estelle, I couldn't determine if Kleynhans meant the black gate with the key in it was still locked. He said "closed" but that does not preclude it from being unlocked. I have been unable to find any info on whether it was definitely locked or not. I originally did think that maybe HVB had purposely placed the key in the gate as part of "creating his alibi", allowing an easy escape route for the fictional "intruder". The gate would have to be unlocked if the "intruder" used it to escape and, if it was, why would the "intruder" then close it again? So much of what I have heard so far sounds very unlikely IMO.

I am looking forward to his cross examination in the hope he will be tied in knots. Something about him suggests he may not be the brightest star in the sky!

I can't wait either!

 

[JudgeJudi]

RSBM

I am looking forward to his cross examination in the hope he will be tied in knots. Something about him suggests he may not be the brightest star in the sky!

IB, think again. You’ll be as surprised as I was to learn that “After studying physics for two years, Henri took a ‘gap year’ and was planning to switch to a different course when he resumed his studies”.

It’s beyond sad to read that Rudi was still at university in Australia and had only travelled to SA for a holiday in December 2014 and died on 27 January 2015. The other family members had returned to South Africa 6 months earlier. This is an excellent article that gives a good background about the family.

https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/sunday-times/20150201/281801397374252

There have been reports that he had a history of using drugs which had put him in conflict with his parents.

Another newspaper report suggested he’d spent time in rehab in recent years and had had his allowance cut by his concerned parents in the weeks leading up to their murder.

But whether Van Breda himself will inherit his parents wealth remains to be seen — under South African law, no one convicted of killing can profit financially from their crimes.

http://www.news.com.au/world/africa...e/news-story/076c2ddbfd6a3396b5052df6b0ae7ed1

The family estate is worth £11.5m ($US16m, AUD $20m) [all approx. current rates]

According to South African law, the process of settling an estate is halted if an heir is arrested on a charge of murder and will only resume after court proceedings have been finalized. An heir is disqualified from inheriting if found guilty of murder.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ils-infamous-Romeo-killer-axe-attack-U-S.html

He met his girlfriend Danielle at cooking school in the months after the murders. She no doubt went to learn how to prepare food while he went to learn how to cook up a story. I have no idea what he’s doing now, if anything. I hope is goose is cooked!

 

[Interested Bystander]

JJ, I wonder why he dropped Physics and at what level? I am unsure of the Australian examination levels but I guess he was between 17 and 19 when doing this course, or maybe 16 and 18. If he was at university, did he drop out because he failed his exams? Having said that, he must have reached a reasonable level of education to be involved in further ed. I wonder whether drug taking affected his brain? It was rumoured he had brain scans but nothing of note was found. My judgement of not being the brightest star relates to his incredibly stupid alibi. Surely if he had half a working brain he would be able to see what a mess his story is, especially as he has had two years to hone it. I note he has been picked up for drug taking since his move to SA although no drugs were found in his blood at the time of the murder.

Thank you for the other links. His family sound as though they had an "ideal" life and were lovely people but when I recall the OP case and his uncle/family, I do wonder whether there were undertones/problems which nobody will admit to. That attitude was almost de regeuer in the Pistorius family.

 

[JudgeJudi]

IB, Apart from what I've already posted, this was the only additional info I was able to find.

Henri van Breda’s best friend has described the alleged axe murderer as a genius.

Boshoff said Van Breda was “very clever”.

“In fact, he is a genius. His IQ is way above 145. While we were on holiday we spoke about higher grade mathematics because it was a subject we both found very interesting.

“Henri’s manner of thinking is way above that of a normal person,” said Boshoff.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/best-friend-says-henri-van-bredas-a-genius-2034975

While Boshoff was speaking as a friend, I would have thought anyone who had completed 2 years of physics at uni wouldn't be a complete fool.

Back to the left/right hand issue, I found 3 where he was using his right hand.

(Google images)

 

[PrimeSuspect]

IB, Apart from what I've already posted, this was the only additional info I was able to find.

Henri van Breda’s best friend has described the alleged axe murderer as a genius.

Boshoff said Van Breda was “very clever”.

“In fact, he is a genius. His IQ is way above 145. While we were on holiday we spoke about higher grade mathematics because it was a subject we both found very interesting.

“Henri’s manner of thinking is way above that of a normal person,” said Boshoff.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/best-friend-says-henri-van-bredas-a-genius-2034975

While Boshoff was speaking as a friend, I would have thought anyone who had completed 2 years of physics at uni wouldn't be a complete fool.

Back to the left/right hand issue, I found 3 where he was using his right hand.

(Google images)

Maybe, HvB is that arrogant he expects he'll be believed. OP was fluffing it up with time wasting activities after he heard the evidence against him but HvB, has provided them in his statement, like he has an Australian accent and thought the emergency operator might not understand him. That he stutters when stressed and uses a technique of speaking calmly and clearly to cover his lack of emotion.

Some other unusual commentary where he explains his thought process which OP only did at the trial - He was surprised how easily he could disarm the attacker. He realized he was holding the axe backwards.

HvB throws the axe at the attacker, lost his footing and falls down the stairs?! He goes outside and comes back in. This was a great opportunity to raise the alarm but chose not to, and sees nothing wrong with this.
HvB sees his mother not moving but Rudi and Marli were, so he returned upstairs to investigate whether they were alive and did nothing, again!

The strangest part in his bizarre account- He falls unconscious for no apparent reason to awake several hours later?!

I wouldn't surprised if Botha delays the trial so HvB has a psychiatric assessment.

 

[Interested Bystander]

IB, Apart from what I've already posted, this was the only additional info I was able to find.

Henri van Breda’s best friend has described the alleged axe murderer as a genius.

Boshoff said Van Breda was “very clever”.

“In fact, he is a genius. His IQ is way above 145. While we were on holiday we spoke about higher grade mathematics because it was a subject we both found very interesting.

“Henri’s manner of thinking is way above that of a normal person,” said Boshoff.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/best-friend-says-henri-van-bredas-a-genius-2034975

While Boshoff was speaking as a friend, I would have thought anyone who had completed 2 years of physics at uni wouldn't be a complete fool.

Back to the left/right hand issue, I found 3 where he was using his right hand.

(Google images)

Thanks JJ. It certainly does seem from what you say that the boy is very clever but I wonder whether he may be so clever he does not think like the average guy in the street. It is well known that very bright people can struggle with normal human responses/reactions/interactions. Maybe this is why I see his alibi as weak. I would have expected somebody who is bright to have come up with a better story - not that I can think what that would likely be .

I think we will learn more about the boy when he is under XXN.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

This is a good article by journalist, Mike Behr. He has access to the photographs taken by police of the Van Breda's home and gives a commentary as the images move from room to room. There's a detailed description of the bodies and injuries and where they lay.
Martin was lying across Rudi's bed clutching a pillow and Rudi was lying at the foot of Henri's bed.

Images will stay beyond trial's end

When Sergeant Adrian Kleynhans stepped into the entrance hall of 12 Goske Street on January 27, 2015, gun drawn, he was struck by the normality of the De Zalze Golf Estate home.

I see exactly what Kleynhans means as I begin paging through the thick Lever Arch file of photographic exhibits labelled A to I.

http://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/images-will-stay-beyond-trials-end-8866661

 

[L2L]

If he thought Marli and Rudi were still alive (moving/gurgling), it surprises me that he didn't make sure they too were dead.

A very sad and graphic account by Mike Behr; thanks for posting.

 

[JudgeJudi]

Thanks Prime for that most descriptive article. The crime scene must have been horrific. For one reason or another, it may well be that's the closest we get to learn of what it looked like. That article was more than enough for me and I certainly wouldn't want to see any images.

 

[JudgeJudi]

Just a few initial questions:

The estate had state-of-the-art security, 24 hour monitoring and guards patrolling.
Q. How did the intruder/s breach security?

Q. Why didn’t the family dog bark?

Q. When he saw Rudi was under attack, why didn’t he press the emergency button on his phone while in the toilet?

Q. When he then saw his father under attack, again, why didn’t he use his phone while the attacker was preoccupied?

Q. When he heard his mother say “What is going on?”, why didn’t he immediately go and try to protect her?

It’s been widely reported that the axe had been recently purchased and also sharpened.
Q. How did the intruder know it’s location?

Q. Why didn’t any of the victims scream? Surely Martin would have screamed when he saw Rudi's devastating injuries.

Q. Nothing was stolen from the home, so why did the intruder go there?

The intruder also used a knife which was part of a set of knives kept in the kitchen.
Q. Why did the intruder enter the home completely unarmed, especially if the purpose was not robbery but to murder the occupants?

Q. If murder was the reason for the intruder’s presence, why choose an axe? The intruder had no way of knowing how many occupants/men were in the house. Obviously it would take longer to deliver multiple blows as opposed to a knife?

How HvB may have become unconscious

The killer turned his attention to Marli next before hurling the weapon at his head, knocking him out, he told investigators.

http://www.news.com.au/news/henri-v...r/news-story/c2a20e37692dc008e84077e20f23991e

BUT this has also been reported:

I am not a fast runner and did not think I would be able to catch him. I then threw the axe at him."

One of the above statements is obviously wrong.

I now think there’s a possibility that HvB is right handed:

"I managed to wrestle the axe from his grip and shoved him away from me, towards the bottom end of Rudi's bed."

When the attacker came at him again, the man grabbed Van Breda's right forearm holding the axe, he said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.za/2017/04/24/henri-van-breda-i-wrestled-axe-from-intruder_a_22053414/

 

[JudgeJudi]

EWN Reporter @ewnreporter · 55m55 minutes ago

#VanBreda Triple murder accused Henri van Breda will hear more evidence from first cop at De Zalze. @Giovanna_Gerbi

Policeman Aiden Kleynhans is expected to take witness stand & will be cross-examined by Van Breda's defence team today. GG

Defence expected to hone in on cop saying it would've been very difficult for intruder to scale De Zalze home's wall & gate. GG

During in loco inspection, a defence lawyer demonstrated ease in gaining entry to house by jumping wall & side entrance gate. GG

 

[JudgeJudi]

EWN Reporter @ewnreporter · 4m4 minutes ago

#VanBreda has arrived in court. It's day 4 of his trial. @MoniqueMortlock

 

[JudgeJudi]

Today's link

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/N...t-for-murder-accused-henri-van-breda-20170502