When asked about being the only person alive except Marli he sarcastically responded that he did not know if the intruder was alive. When confronted with difficult issues it was different for example where the dog was and why it didnt bark, where his fathers body was he appeared to be uncomfortable at times other times he appeared perfectly confident.
Axe- James recalled an axe that was black on top, the axe had a dark green colour. James said that the axe he saw in the house was similar.
Precious testified that the axe looks similar to the one she normally saw in the scullery next to the ironing board. The ironing board was in the same position it normally is.
Sgt Appolis testified that one axe was found at the crime scene, no indication of a second axe. Although Precious and James were aware of the presence of the axe, the accused distanced himself and said he did not know the family had an axe in the house.
James was a visitor to the home, he knew of the axe. James said it was bought in 2014. It is the states case that the injuries sustained by the deceased and Marli were made by the axe.
The defence suggested that there may have been a second axe used in the attacks. Defence argued that the DNA evidence contradicts the states case.
This submission was made on the assumption that the DNA evidence is accepted.
Type of injuries to Marli were similar to the type of injuries sustained by the deceased's, measurements of her wounds were more or less the same as the others.
Highly unlikely that the alleged perpetrator would have fortuitously brought a similar axe into the home as the one at the Van Breda home, would inflict similar injuries and that the second attacker would remove the axe.
Marli's touch DNA was found on the axe, she probably touched the axe while defending herself, Marli's attack was more or less at the same time as Teresa's it highly unlikely that she was attacked by another intruder.
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