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

[JudgeJudi]

She couldn't hear the language they were speaking.

Uh oh.

Tammy Petersen ‎@TammyPetersen87
Op't Hof couldn't hear what the voices were saying. "It wasn't a happy sound. It sounded serious. It wasn't pleasant."

Couldn't hear how many voices there were. At least two.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/live-van-breda-murder-trial-day-12-20170516

 

[Tortoise]

Bad argument - Henri says he was playing movie through new sound system but Martin Locke never heard that = Martin Locke was asleep, had ear plugs in, or is hard of hearing.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

Anthony Molyneaux‏ @AJGMolyneaux 4m4 minutes ago @TimesLIVE

Opt-Hof says she continued her work while the fighting continued. Combrink puts it to witness that she couldn't hear what the voices were saying & what language it was. Opt-Hof says there were...2 voices but could have 3. Could not have been 10 people.

Opt-Hof again sticks to her story. Combrink asks her to look through her statement again. Why didn't you phone police or security?
Opt-Hof says she didn't want to 'in-meng' with the neighbours having a fight.

Henri now speaking to Combrink. Judge says let's break for lunch. Henri has a list of questions for witness.


(HvB is real smart alec! We'll be hearing his questions soon!)

 

[PrimeSuspect]

Probably the argument was over Star Trek 2, Martin and Rudi had to get up early!

 

[JudgeJudi]

Why didn't you call security or police?

She says she got a fright, but didn't think they were going to kill each other.

Henri now speaking to Combrink.

Judge says calls for lunch break. Henri has a list of questions for witness.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...ay-12-20170516

 

[Tortoise]

O says well then I think we must play the movie.


https://twitter.com/Traceyams

 

[Interested Bystander]

Star Trek 2 was released in 1982. I am a little surprised they would be interested in a film that was over 30 years old. However there are "Trekkies" who watch anything associated with Star Trek. My son tells me that he remembers music was played over all the fight scenes so I think the neighbour would have detected that, surely!

 

[Tortoise]

I was expecting them to concentrate on why she didn't move out because of the murders, playing the line that she must be a biased witness. Combrink not quite in Roux's league.

 

[Interested Bystander]

Tracey Stewart's tweets suggest Desai is getting irritated by the Defence. Long may it last!

 

[Tortoise]

If the next questions are coming from Henri we'll get a taste of how his mind works.

 

[JudgeJudi]

In response to Prime’s post #1077

"C puts it to her that Henri says he did not hear any such argument that night. O doesn't agree with Henri at all"

This is, for me, is further confirmation that’s he’s Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Why would a neighbour who doesn't even know the family subject herself to testifying in a trial. She knows what she heard, when she heard it and knew where it was coming from.

This is an exclusive estate. Are we really being asked to believe that the family was that selfish that they'd turn the TV up for 2 hours finishing at midnight. From what we know of the OP trial, people in these gated communities go to bed quite early, at least in comparison to Oz.

 

[JudgeJudi]

I really hope Susan Galloway is up to the task. Botha's very aggressive and no fool. We know that it's very patriarchal in SA and her name is hardly ever mentioned by the media. I find this quite worrying.

 

[Estelle]

Tracey Stewart‏ @Traceyams 1h1 hour ago

Judge Desai very annoyed with Combrink urging him to finish this witness #vanbreda

Tracey Stewart‏ @Traceyams 1h1 hour ago

C says but you signed your statement on 8 february - Judge Desai gets involved @CapeTownEtc #vanbreda What does that matter he says

 

[Estelle]

I really hope Susan Galloway is up to the task. Botha's very aggressive and no fool. We know that it's very patriarchal in SA and her name is hardly ever mentioned by the media. I find this quite worrying.

I agree with you. Susan Galloway has missed many opportunities and let the Defence get away with things and creating doubts.

Do you really believe they were watching Star Trek 2? Has Henri proved that they even had a copy of it?

 

[Estelle]

Anthony Molyneaux‏ @AJGMolyneaux 3m3 minutes ago

#vanbreda projector set up in court. Waiting for Judge Desai. Henri in court on right of photo.@TimesLIVE

Is the court now going to see the movie?

 

[Estelle]

Anthony Molyneaux‏ @AJGMolyneaux 2h2 hours ago

#vanbreda Combrink puts it to witness that she couldn't hear what the voices were saying & what language it was. Opt-Hof says there were..

#vanbreda Opt-Hof says she continued her work while the fighting continued.

#vanbreda Combrink says the movie is 2h12mins and that's how long she heard the screaming for. Opt-Hof again states she heard men shouting.

#vanbreda ..that there wasn't any argument that night. She says she knows what she heard so she doesn't agree with Henri.

#vanbreda Opt-Hof says she is dead certain that it wasn't a movie. It was angry voices in person. She doesn't agree with Henris statement..

#vanbreda Combrink says some sounds can travel further than others. Voices travel further than music. ��

#vanbreda Opt-Hof: 'I would have heard music and theme song but there was none of that.' @TimesLIVE

 

[JudgeJudi]

Cross examination of Stephanie Op't Hof by Adv Combrink continues.

Combrink - Between 10 and 11 there were security patrols by Mr Wyngaard and Africa. They said they didn't notice anything suspicious. Lockes had open windows and and doors, didn't hear anything.

Op't Hof maintains what she heard form the house was not Star Trek. It was not a TV or a movie.

What I heard was voices. If it was a movie, I would have heard music and a soundtrack. I heard them clearly arguing.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/live-van-breda-murder-trial-day-12-20170516

 

[Estelle]

Anthony Molyneaux‏ @AJGMolyneaux 47s48 seconds ago

#vanbreda That's not my character, I don't put my nose in others people's business. @TimesLIVE

#vanbreda In my wildest dreams I could not have imagined what happened that night. That's why I didn't call security.

#vanbreda Opt-Hof says she remembers what happened.She would have known what Star Trek sounded like.She has no doubt it was people arguing.

#vanbreda witness says she knows what she heard and that's that.

#vanbreda Combrink now puts it to witness that she came up with the aggressive voices story after she found out about murders the next day.

#vanbreda did not report any shouting or aggressive voices. Witness says she can't comment on what security heard. @TimesLIVE

#vanbreda Combrink jumps to De Zalze security. C points to report that security walked in the area of the house between 10pm&12am. Yet they

 

[Tortoise]

Again it's no good Henri saying he had his movie on loud speakers but no one heard it - security patrolling or other neighbours. He wants it both ways - movie and silence (but no arguing)

 

[JudgeJudi]

Op't Hof says no one would have expected that (the murders) would happen.

If someone screamed help, I would have reacted.

Galloway: between argument and police arriving the next morning, did anyone come to your door for help?

Op't Hof: No. It's strange that Henri didn't come to my door and come and ask me for help.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Ne...ay-12-20170516