Trial Discussion Thread #13 - 14.03.25, Day 15

[graceholl]

I am surprised that the prosecution didn't present more from the phone records.

Whatever happened to the whole thing about OP watching ? IIRC it has been briefly mentioned, but that's it.

I thought there would be some phone activity from Reeva in the bathroom that night - I thought that might be the smoking gun. It seems not. I'm a bit baffled!

 

[zwiebel]

Wasn't Reeva's show due to air a short time after she was killed?

And has anyone noticed how Roux never refers to killed or death or even shooting? It's always 'the incident' or 'the unfortunate incident'.

 

[Forensics]

In terms of there being only four text messages that are negative compared to the large number of positive ones, I do agree there are ups and downs in any relationship. It's not the number of arguments that I find disturbing , its that just a couple of months into the relationship Reeva said “I’m scared of you sometimes and how you snap at me and how you will act towards me…" To my way of thinking this is not indicative of a healthy, loving and deepening relationship.

 

[Rumpole]

Late to the club this morning.

Judging him purely objectively, FWIW I think Barry Roux is a fantastic defense lawyer.

*don't hate me*

:tyou:

I agree... he is quite brilliant. Perhaps "an acquired taste"? His style is slow and repetitive.... but it's like watching a cat stalking his prey at times. And also you can see him lay traps and then guide witnesses into them

 

[MeeBee]

My question, why would the guys have to promise not to tell if they hadn't been asked?

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/24/world/oscar-pistorius-trial-whatsapp-messages/

Dunno, but, as I said, I already don't believe Oscar on this point so I don't need convincing. I was merely addressing the significance of the question Roux asked. That there was notning substantial in the text exchange, just that the incident was brought up, Darren agreed to take the blame, and he was asking Reeva not to bring it up.

 

[graceholl]

He is very good. I don't know if you watched the JA trial but he reminds me a lot of the prosecutor (without the fireworks), very cunning, one step ahead, good at getting important points across.

IMO.

Hi MeeBee, I did watch bits of the JA trial when I should have been preparing for my finals and agree...Juan Martinez and Roux are so on the ball they're almost off the other side. It's very impressive to watch.

 

[MURDERER_SERVANT]

Morning guys, thanks for updates Zwei... Can someone just confirm for me save me looking through. Reeves made no attempt to call for help and sent no negative messages of fear on the night in question?

As expected... How could Reeva make a call during being attacked and killed ? . she didn't have the phone with her in the toilet....it seems only she could do , was to scream for her life ..

 

[zwiebel]

They're back.

 

[MeeBee]

I am surprised that the prosecution didn't present more from the phone records.

Whatever happened to the whole thing about OP watching ? IIRC it has been briefly mentioned, but that's it.

I thought there would be some phone activity from Reeva in the bathroom that night - I thought that might be the smoking gun. It seems not. I'm a bit baffled!

The was shown but not mentioned when his web history was placed on the screen (cue shameface from Oscar). I don't think the state finds it that relevant.

 

[Danta]

He also does not call Reeva the deceased, he calls her Reeva. I think being the defense attorney he should call her Ms. or Miss Steenkamp rather than by her first name.

 

[Forensics]

Agree to disagree!

BBM: Well, we already knew that. The question is did he offer or did Oscar ask him?

The text from Oscar read "I can’t afford for that to come out. The guys promised not to say a thing.” One would assume that to make a promise would imply that they were asked to?

 

[G.bng]

The point he was making is you can't tell either way from that text alone who asked/offered to take the blame which is true.

Sorry, but is that the point Roux was trying to make, because you can absolutely tell, supported with the testimony of the three eye and ear witnesses, what OP is referring to, and all fully confirmed by Reeva's reply ending with a smiley (I bet it's a winking one), and if the judge's young assistants are on the ball they will be quick to explain it to her:

OP: “Angel, please don't say a thing to any one. Darren told everyone it was his fault. I can't afford for that to come out. The guys promised not to say a thing.”

RS: “I have no idea what you’re talking about. ”

 

[graceholl]

Wasn't Reeva's show due to air a short time after she was killed?

Yes, I think within days. It was pulled after her death.

 

[MeeBee]

Wasn't Reeva's show due to air a short time after she was killed?

And has anyone noticed how Roux never refers to killed or death or even shooting? It's always 'the incident' or 'the unfortunate incident'.

That's pretty typical of defense attorneys. It sounds better to them. In the US they often terms other than, "victim" to describe the victim.

 

[zwiebel]

R: First document has caption 'Web History'.

R: 'I'm not going into detail...shows Reeva has a web history of motor mag, motor mag, vehicle traders'.

R: Web cookies - again shows motor mags.

FM: Yes, and there was a specific ad accessed.

R: Third doc, whats app msgs.
SA police center Jan 9th. 16.18.32.

 

[G.bng]

iirc, Baba testified that he called OP (the "everything is fine" or "I'm fine" call) and then OP called back (short, crying, possible butt dial)

i agree, these phone records now indicate to me that Baba misremembered the order of the calls.

Today's testimony: First call was from OP for 9 seconds (possibly a mistake) then Baba called back.

9 seconds... is that enough or was it that Baba didn't hear anything and that is why he got mixed up?

 

[zwiebel]

FM explaining how there are lots of whatsapp msgs between Reeva and OP about vehicles.

Msgs/emails - extracts from Reeva's emails. Roux says again they deal with motor vehicles. FM agrees.

 

[MeeBee]

The text from Oscar read "I can’t afford for that to come out. The guys promised not to say a thing.” One would assume that to make a promise would imply that they were asked to?

Yes, I agree. But it wasn't explicitly stated in the text and as OP's defense attorney, Roux is obligated to make the point.

 

[zwiebel]

18th June 2012. Twitter.

FM: You set up twitter with your email, whenever there is activity you receive an email from twitter.

First tweet:

Reeva Steenkamp 'Off to an exciting interview now....when cars are involved, Reeva Steenkamp is a happy person!'

Reeva was also looking for property Jan/Feb.

 

[zwiebel]

I think Roux has shown Reeva had strong interest in cars....