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Sign up with GoogleGriekwastad Trial: Murder of the Steenkamp Family
TelkomUseless
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Money? Nutjob? etc...
LazyLion
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Evidence Handled 'Properly'
All forensic evidence in the Griekwastad farm killings was handled properly, despite some administrative errors, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Tuesday.
Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo was hearing evidence in the triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.
Prosecutor Hannes Cloete painstakingly went through an album of about 140 photos of forensic evidence taken at the Griekwastad police station and the farm by forensic investigator Lieutenant Andre McAnda (SUBS: CORRECT).
The boy is accused of murdering Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, on the farm Naauwhoek, near Griekwastad, on April 6, 2012.
McAnda testified that the forensic investigation of the scene only ended around 1am on the morning of April 17, 2012.
He said that when back at the office he made a mistake with the typing of some numbers on little evidence bags. This was later discovered and corrected.
Parts of the police photo album show how the first policeman on the scene found the victims. Farmer Deon Steenkamp was found on his stomach, as was his wife Christelle. Marthella was lying on her side, next to her mother.
The woman's clothes and the girl's neon-green shirt were blood-stained.
When the court was shown photos of the victims' faces on a screen in the courtroom, the boy looked away.
McAnda explained each photo in the album, including those of blood spatters on the back door of the farm house.
He said to limit contamination all policemen on the scene wore protective equipment, known as "moon suits", which covered them from head to toe.
The photos show blood splatters on the tiled floor of the kitchen, on a kitchen cupboard, and on a black telephone on the kitchen counter. The phone's handset is off the hook. There appear to be blood smears on the phone and on the counter next to it.
McAnda testified that two cooldrink glasses were found on the floor outside the kitchen. The kitchen's stable door was damaged.
McAnda was also present during the post mortems of the three victims, to take photos.
Before the forensic team went to the farm they were at the Griekwastad police station. Residue tests were done on the boy. McAnda said he collected evidence, as requested by investigator Colonel Dick de Waal.
The investigators recorded vehicles, a revolver and six cartridges, a .22 rifle, a pair of shorts, and a maroon and green T-shirt.
The court heard that a blood swab taken at this time went missing.
McAnda said the investigator wanted the shorts because apparently there was blood on them. He testified he did not immediately collect them because the boy had a reasonable explanation for the blood.
"He helped the (girl) in the house."
McAnda testified about a kitchen knife found on the road to the farm house. He however excluded it from the evidence because it appeared to have been lying there for some time. An abandoned bakkie found on the road to the farm was also examined, but no evidence was found.
The case was adjourned to Wednesday.
Source : Sapa /ag/hdw/th/ks
Date : 12 Mar 2013 17:52
All forensic evidence in the Griekwastad farm killings was handled properly, despite some administrative errors, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Tuesday.
Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo was hearing evidence in the triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.
Prosecutor Hannes Cloete painstakingly went through an album of about 140 photos of forensic evidence taken at the Griekwastad police station and the farm by forensic investigator Lieutenant Andre McAnda (SUBS: CORRECT).
The boy is accused of murdering Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, on the farm Naauwhoek, near Griekwastad, on April 6, 2012.
McAnda testified that the forensic investigation of the scene only ended around 1am on the morning of April 17, 2012.
He said that when back at the office he made a mistake with the typing of some numbers on little evidence bags. This was later discovered and corrected.
Parts of the police photo album show how the first policeman on the scene found the victims. Farmer Deon Steenkamp was found on his stomach, as was his wife Christelle. Marthella was lying on her side, next to her mother.
The woman's clothes and the girl's neon-green shirt were blood-stained.
When the court was shown photos of the victims' faces on a screen in the courtroom, the boy looked away.
McAnda explained each photo in the album, including those of blood spatters on the back door of the farm house.
He said to limit contamination all policemen on the scene wore protective equipment, known as "moon suits", which covered them from head to toe.
The photos show blood splatters on the tiled floor of the kitchen, on a kitchen cupboard, and on a black telephone on the kitchen counter. The phone's handset is off the hook. There appear to be blood smears on the phone and on the counter next to it.
McAnda testified that two cooldrink glasses were found on the floor outside the kitchen. The kitchen's stable door was damaged.
McAnda was also present during the post mortems of the three victims, to take photos.
Before the forensic team went to the farm they were at the Griekwastad police station. Residue tests were done on the boy. McAnda said he collected evidence, as requested by investigator Colonel Dick de Waal.
The investigators recorded vehicles, a revolver and six cartridges, a .22 rifle, a pair of shorts, and a maroon and green T-shirt.
The court heard that a blood swab taken at this time went missing.
McAnda said the investigator wanted the shorts because apparently there was blood on them. He testified he did not immediately collect them because the boy had a reasonable explanation for the blood.
"He helped the (girl) in the house."
McAnda testified about a kitchen knife found on the road to the farm house. He however excluded it from the evidence because it appeared to have been lying there for some time. An abandoned bakkie found on the road to the farm was also examined, but no evidence was found.
The case was adjourned to Wednesday.
Source : Sapa /ag/hdw/th/ks
Date : 12 Mar 2013 17:52
LazyLion
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Relatives in Court
Relatives of the victims of last year's Griekwastad farm murders attended the trial of a 16-year-old boy in the Northern Cape High Court on Wednesday.
Eight relatives were in court on Wednesday, as was the boy's guardian.
The court is sitting in camera, as a Children's Court, because the accused is a minor. Only people allowed by the court may attend the proceedings.
The boy cut a lonely figure on Wednesday, sitting in a dock able to accommodate about 10 people, in the middle of the courtroom. The public gallery, with room for about 100 people, was empty.
Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo was hearing evidence in the murders of Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14. They were killed on their farm Naauwhoek, near Griekwastad, on April 6, 2012.
Since the beginning of the week, 10 journalists from various media houses had been covering the story. Local media were giving the case extensive coverage.
For the State there were two prosecutors, Hannes Cloete and Quiten Hollander. They sat in front of Kgomo, to the right of the courtroom.
Behind them were investigating officer Colonel Dick de Waal. He was flanked by two of the prosecution's administrative personnel.
The youth's defence team included two advocates, Willem Coetzee and Sharon Erasmus. Behind them was his attorney Stoffel de Jager, and his guardian.
Most of the proceedings since Monday had taken place in total silence, without the murmur from the public gallery normally heard during open court proceedings.
At times the only sounds to be heard were journalists and the prosecution typing on their laptops.
On Wednesday Cloete continued questioning the State's second witness in the trial, forensic investigator Lieutenant Andre McAnda. Court proceedings moved slowly as the evidence collected on the crime scene was read into the court record piece by piece.
Every single exhibit, most of them in little plastic bags with their own serial numbers, had to be read into the record.
On Tuesday a police album containing 140 photos of evidence was read into the record.
McAnda's forensic statements, containing all the exhibits and evidence, were also read into the record. Cloete asked McAnda to explain the forensic processes followed and how the evidence was handled.
McAnda's testimony-in-chief ended at tea time. Cross-examination of McAnda was expected to start after tea.
The State is expected to call more than 70 witnesses. The case has been set down until March 28.
Source : Sapa /ag/hdw/clh/th
Date : 13 Mar 2013 11:57
Relatives of the victims of last year's Griekwastad farm murders attended the trial of a 16-year-old boy in the Northern Cape High Court on Wednesday.
Eight relatives were in court on Wednesday, as was the boy's guardian.
The court is sitting in camera, as a Children's Court, because the accused is a minor. Only people allowed by the court may attend the proceedings.
The boy cut a lonely figure on Wednesday, sitting in a dock able to accommodate about 10 people, in the middle of the courtroom. The public gallery, with room for about 100 people, was empty.
Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo was hearing evidence in the murders of Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14. They were killed on their farm Naauwhoek, near Griekwastad, on April 6, 2012.
Since the beginning of the week, 10 journalists from various media houses had been covering the story. Local media were giving the case extensive coverage.
For the State there were two prosecutors, Hannes Cloete and Quiten Hollander. They sat in front of Kgomo, to the right of the courtroom.
Behind them were investigating officer Colonel Dick de Waal. He was flanked by two of the prosecution's administrative personnel.
The youth's defence team included two advocates, Willem Coetzee and Sharon Erasmus. Behind them was his attorney Stoffel de Jager, and his guardian.
Most of the proceedings since Monday had taken place in total silence, without the murmur from the public gallery normally heard during open court proceedings.
At times the only sounds to be heard were journalists and the prosecution typing on their laptops.
On Wednesday Cloete continued questioning the State's second witness in the trial, forensic investigator Lieutenant Andre McAnda. Court proceedings moved slowly as the evidence collected on the crime scene was read into the court record piece by piece.
Every single exhibit, most of them in little plastic bags with their own serial numbers, had to be read into the record.
On Tuesday a police album containing 140 photos of evidence was read into the record.
McAnda's forensic statements, containing all the exhibits and evidence, were also read into the record. Cloete asked McAnda to explain the forensic processes followed and how the evidence was handled.
McAnda's testimony-in-chief ended at tea time. Cross-examination of McAnda was expected to start after tea.
The State is expected to call more than 70 witnesses. The case has been set down until March 28.
Source : Sapa /ag/hdw/clh/th
Date : 13 Mar 2013 11:57
LazyLion
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Focus on Mistakes of Forensic Investigator
Administrative mix-ups with the serial numbers of exhibits and sealed evidence by the forensic investigator in the 2012 Griekwastad farm murders were highlighted in court on Wednesday.
The Northern Cape High Court was hearing evidence in the murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.
"I testified to the mix-up," the State's second witness in the trial, forensic investigator Lieutenant Andre McAnda, said in reply to a question under cross-examination.
"How many mistakes do you make? We will get to the others," said Willem Coetzee, the youth's legal representative.
Coetzee was testing McAnda's evidence-in-chief in the handling of the six revolver cartridges sealed in a forensic bag at the Griekwastad police station.
McAnda said although he was a forensic expert, he could make mistakes.
"In all fields of expertise there is a margin of error."
The court adjourned for lunch early, after the defence asked for access to the documents from which the witness was testifying.
McAnda did not want to hand over the documents, and said his testimony was sufficient.
The prosecution would decide over the lunch adjournment whether to make the documents available to the defence team.
Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14 were killed on their farm Naauwhoek, near Griekwastad, on April 6, 2012.
Source : Sapa /ag/tk/dd/clh
Date : 13 Mar 2013 14:00
Administrative mix-ups with the serial numbers of exhibits and sealed evidence by the forensic investigator in the 2012 Griekwastad farm murders were highlighted in court on Wednesday.
The Northern Cape High Court was hearing evidence in the murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.
"I testified to the mix-up," the State's second witness in the trial, forensic investigator Lieutenant Andre McAnda, said in reply to a question under cross-examination.
"How many mistakes do you make? We will get to the others," said Willem Coetzee, the youth's legal representative.
Coetzee was testing McAnda's evidence-in-chief in the handling of the six revolver cartridges sealed in a forensic bag at the Griekwastad police station.
McAnda said although he was a forensic expert, he could make mistakes.
"In all fields of expertise there is a margin of error."
The court adjourned for lunch early, after the defence asked for access to the documents from which the witness was testifying.
McAnda did not want to hand over the documents, and said his testimony was sufficient.
The prosecution would decide over the lunch adjournment whether to make the documents available to the defence team.
Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14 were killed on their farm Naauwhoek, near Griekwastad, on April 6, 2012.
Source : Sapa /ag/tk/dd/clh
Date : 13 Mar 2013 14:00
This is some sick ****er. How does a 16 year old murder his parents, rape and murder his 14 year old sister as well and then make up story that fools the police so they only charge him much later for the crimes including defeating the ends of justice with him making false statements.
The little psycho isn't a should have known better kid but goes to Grey college and after the police believed his story he proceeded to get national colours for equestrian tent pegging representing SA against Australia. Jeez I would think he would fail his year because of grief but instead he gets national colours for sport. A little Oscar nominee in both senses.
The little psycho isn't a should have known better kid but goes to Grey college and after the police believed his story he proceeded to get national colours for equestrian tent pegging representing SA against Australia. Jeez I would think he would fail his year because of grief but instead he gets national colours for sport. A little Oscar nominee in both senses.
LazyLion
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'I am no Forensic Expert' : Investigator
State witness Lieutenant Andre McAnda told the Northern Cape High Court on Thursday he was no forensic expert, but a forensic field worker.
Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo was hearing evidence in the triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.
During cross examination the boy's lawyer, Willem Coetzee, referred to McAnda as a forensic expert, which McAnda asked the court to correct.
“I am not a forensic expert, I am a forensic field worker.”
Coetzee continued cross examining McAnda until tea time. He was the main forensic field worker who gathered evidence at the crime scene, on the farm Naauwhoek outside Griekwastad.
Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were killed on April 6, 2012.
McAnda acknowledged that some mistakes had been made with the serial numbers of exhibits and evidence gathered.
He said the farm house's tiled floor was not dusted for prints because it had already been contaminated by all the people on the scene. He also did not look for additional evidence on a green jacket found near Deon Steenkamp's body.
Another item not investigated was a small carpet found underneath Marthella. No photos were taken of this, nor of a palm-print found on an abandoned vehicle near the farm.
“Any samples taken from the carpet?” asked Coetzee.
“No,” said McAnda.
Before Coetzee ended the cross examination, he asked McAnda what happened to the brown jacket found on a wooden dining table chair near a computer station. The chair was next to the womens' bodies.
“I tried to find the jacket,” said Coetzee, referring to documents noting the details of specific exhibits.
McAnda said he did not record it there.
“I neglected to do it.”
Coetzee finished his cross examination with the words: “You slipped in writing it in again.”
The case continues.
Source : Sapa /ag/fg/dd/th
Date : 14 Mar 2013 12:04
State witness Lieutenant Andre McAnda told the Northern Cape High Court on Thursday he was no forensic expert, but a forensic field worker.
Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo was hearing evidence in the triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.
During cross examination the boy's lawyer, Willem Coetzee, referred to McAnda as a forensic expert, which McAnda asked the court to correct.
“I am not a forensic expert, I am a forensic field worker.”
Coetzee continued cross examining McAnda until tea time. He was the main forensic field worker who gathered evidence at the crime scene, on the farm Naauwhoek outside Griekwastad.
Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were killed on April 6, 2012.
McAnda acknowledged that some mistakes had been made with the serial numbers of exhibits and evidence gathered.
He said the farm house's tiled floor was not dusted for prints because it had already been contaminated by all the people on the scene. He also did not look for additional evidence on a green jacket found near Deon Steenkamp's body.
Another item not investigated was a small carpet found underneath Marthella. No photos were taken of this, nor of a palm-print found on an abandoned vehicle near the farm.
“Any samples taken from the carpet?” asked Coetzee.
“No,” said McAnda.
Before Coetzee ended the cross examination, he asked McAnda what happened to the brown jacket found on a wooden dining table chair near a computer station. The chair was next to the womens' bodies.
“I tried to find the jacket,” said Coetzee, referring to documents noting the details of specific exhibits.
McAnda said he did not record it there.
“I neglected to do it.”
Coetzee finished his cross examination with the words: “You slipped in writing it in again.”
The case continues.
Source : Sapa /ag/fg/dd/th
Date : 14 Mar 2013 12:04
LazyLion
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Finger print Cop Testifies
No match could be found on the police's database for a fingerprint that was lifted from a drinking glass at the scene of a triple murder at a farm in Griekwastad, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Thursday.
Constable Motlalekgomo Mohitlhi was testifying in the trial of a 16-year-old youth accused of killing farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, on the farm Naauwhoek, on April 6 last year.
Mohitlhi said he also tested for fingerprints on a handgun holster in the main bedroom and the firearm safe, the fridge, the counter and phone in the kitchen area, and the dining room table.
Cross-examination of Mohithli was expected to start after the lunch break.
Mohitlhi testified that he did primary residue tests on the youth at the police station.
He did a red colour test on his right hand and a blue colour test on his left hand. "I sealed the test in front of him," he told the court.
Mohitlhi was also the policeman tasked with doing the first recording of the murder scene at the farm with a video camera.
The video was shown in court in two clips, the first of which was a short recording of the back door of the farmhouse.
Mohitlhi testified that the farm dogs ran to him at that point and he feared they would bite him. He continued after he was sure that the dogs would not attack.
The trial continues.
Source : Sapa /ag/hdw/clh/dd
Date : 14 Mar 2013 14:57
No match could be found on the police's database for a fingerprint that was lifted from a drinking glass at the scene of a triple murder at a farm in Griekwastad, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Thursday.
Constable Motlalekgomo Mohitlhi was testifying in the trial of a 16-year-old youth accused of killing farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christelle, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, on the farm Naauwhoek, on April 6 last year.
Mohitlhi said he also tested for fingerprints on a handgun holster in the main bedroom and the firearm safe, the fridge, the counter and phone in the kitchen area, and the dining room table.
Cross-examination of Mohithli was expected to start after the lunch break.
Mohitlhi testified that he did primary residue tests on the youth at the police station.
He did a red colour test on his right hand and a blue colour test on his left hand. "I sealed the test in front of him," he told the court.
Mohitlhi was also the policeman tasked with doing the first recording of the murder scene at the farm with a video camera.
The video was shown in court in two clips, the first of which was a short recording of the back door of the farmhouse.
Mohitlhi testified that the farm dogs ran to him at that point and he feared they would bite him. He continued after he was sure that the dogs would not attack.
The trial continues.
Source : Sapa /ag/hdw/clh/dd
Date : 14 Mar 2013 14:57
APoc184
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I've been following this story from day 1.
Hard to believe anyone would do such horrible things to his own sister and then murder his whole family to cover it up.
Of course making it look like a farm attack is the logical thing to do.
If the evidence shows he is guilty, I believe they should look for an accomplice. I cannot see how he did this all by himself. Perhaps his guardian (the teacher). I did find it strange that the boy insisted on living with him after the killings instead of close family.
The test for gunshot residue done on him after the shooting will probably be the most important piece of evidence in this trial. The other stuff is important but can be explained away. Can't see how he will explain the residue if he tested positive.
EDIT: And if he tested negative it will cast big doubt over the states case.
Hard to believe anyone would do such horrible things to his own sister and then murder his whole family to cover it up.
Of course making it look like a farm attack is the logical thing to do.
If the evidence shows he is guilty, I believe they should look for an accomplice. I cannot see how he did this all by himself. Perhaps his guardian (the teacher). I did find it strange that the boy insisted on living with him after the killings instead of close family.
The test for gunshot residue done on him after the shooting will probably be the most important piece of evidence in this trial. The other stuff is important but can be explained away. Can't see how he will explain the residue if he tested positive.
EDIT: And if he tested negative it will cast big doubt over the states case.
Last edited:
APoc184
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Not a lot happened today.
Just picked up that one of the first cops on site noticed grass stains on the girl's clothing. Perhaps indicating that she was outside and maybe dragged inside.
Also that one of the officers noticed blood spatter on the boy's face and also scratch marks on his neck and arms.
Monday the whole court will be taken to the farm for a tour of the crime scene.
Just picked up that one of the first cops on site noticed grass stains on the girl's clothing. Perhaps indicating that she was outside and maybe dragged inside.
Also that one of the officers noticed blood spatter on the boy's face and also scratch marks on his neck and arms.
Monday the whole court will be taken to the farm for a tour of the crime scene.
LazyLion
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Court to go to Murder Scene
The triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy will be moved to the crime scene, a farm near Griekwastad, on Monday.
Northern Cape High Court Judge President Frans Kgomo, court personnel, the prosecuting team, and the defence will visit the farm Naauwhoek, where farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were shot dead on April 6 last year.
The group gathered at the Griekwastad police station first to conduct an investigation. They were expected to leave for the farm shortly.
The media was allowed to visit the farm but, by agreement with the court, keep their distance. Journalists were not allowed inside the farmhouse. The teenage accused has pleaded not guilty to the three murder charges, as well as to a charge of rape, and one of defeating the ends of justice.
Cases involving minors are usually held in-camera, but several media houses had been granted permission to cover the case. The boy may not be identified.
Source : Sapa /ag/ma/fg/th
Date : 18 Mar 2013 09:48
The triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy will be moved to the crime scene, a farm near Griekwastad, on Monday.
Northern Cape High Court Judge President Frans Kgomo, court personnel, the prosecuting team, and the defence will visit the farm Naauwhoek, where farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were shot dead on April 6 last year.
The group gathered at the Griekwastad police station first to conduct an investigation. They were expected to leave for the farm shortly.
The media was allowed to visit the farm but, by agreement with the court, keep their distance. Journalists were not allowed inside the farmhouse. The teenage accused has pleaded not guilty to the three murder charges, as well as to a charge of rape, and one of defeating the ends of justice.
Cases involving minors are usually held in-camera, but several media houses had been granted permission to cover the case. The boy may not be identified.
Source : Sapa /ag/ma/fg/th
Date : 18 Mar 2013 09:48
F
Fudzy
Guest
Wtf... when do trials take field-trips?
DJ...
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Here are the relevant legal texts relating to proceeds of crimes:
https://docs.google.com/a/varnex.co...FTcTwU&sig=AHIEtbQRSu52Z0AocM8H25p8KbgCnJBdvA
It is however completely ignored for the most part when it comes to corruption...
https://docs.google.com/a/varnex.co...FTcTwU&sig=AHIEtbQRSu52Z0AocM8H25p8KbgCnJBdvA
It is however completely ignored for the most part when it comes to corruption...
blunomore
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DJ, the rule applicable in this case is not statutory, but is a part of our common law (specifically Roman Dutch Law) and the maxim is known as "de bloedige hand er neemt geen erffenis". It means that a murderer may not inherit from his or her victim/s.
Interestingly enough, it even applies to someone who negligently causes the death of the testator.
LazyLion
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Judge Inspects Griekwastad Farm
The Northern Cape High Court on Monday conducted an in loco inspection of the Griekwastad farm murder scene.
Judge Frans Kgomo first visited the Griekwastad police station. He is presiding over the triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.
The judge, court personnel, the prosecuting team, the defence, and media visited the farm Naauwhoek, where farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were shot dead on April 6 last year.
The farm is about 9km outside Griekwastad on the road to Niekerkshoop. Halfway to the farm the group stopped at the spot where a bakkie was found on the night of the murders.
The second stop was at the first of two gates that lead to the farm. The first gate is near the farmworkers' houses.
At the farm the judge was shown the outside area before they moved to a barn about 30 metres from the farmhouse. In the barn the judge was shown the working area and the farm's meat room.
The inspection, which took an hour-and-a-half, ended with a walk through the farmhouse where the victims were found.
The case continues on Tuesday
Source : Sapa /ag/th/ks/jk
Date : 18 Mar 2013 12:45
The Northern Cape High Court on Monday conducted an in loco inspection of the Griekwastad farm murder scene.
Judge Frans Kgomo first visited the Griekwastad police station. He is presiding over the triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.
The judge, court personnel, the prosecuting team, the defence, and media visited the farm Naauwhoek, where farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were shot dead on April 6 last year.
The farm is about 9km outside Griekwastad on the road to Niekerkshoop. Halfway to the farm the group stopped at the spot where a bakkie was found on the night of the murders.
The second stop was at the first of two gates that lead to the farm. The first gate is near the farmworkers' houses.
At the farm the judge was shown the outside area before they moved to a barn about 30 metres from the farmhouse. In the barn the judge was shown the working area and the farm's meat room.
The inspection, which took an hour-and-a-half, ended with a walk through the farmhouse where the victims were found.
The case continues on Tuesday
Source : Sapa /ag/th/ks/jk
Date : 18 Mar 2013 12:45
LazyLion
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Sister of Victim Testifies
The Steenkamp family discussed all possible angles as to what could have happened during the 2012 Griekwastad farm killings, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Monday.
The court was hearing evidence in the triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.
Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were killed on the farm Naauwhoek, on April 6, 2012.
Deon Steenkamp's sister Marianna Smith, was the State's first witness on Monday.
She testified that several family members went to the farmhouse to make a list of possible stolen items.
A one stage, she and her mother Bettie Steenkamp, stood in the living room and speculated how Deon and Christel could have been overpowered in the house.
"My scenario was that somebody came down the passage [of the house] and shot Christel in front of the computer."
Smith said she had discussions with the boy in the days after the murders.
She testified that he appeared to behave normally the first time she met him.
"He did not cry, [was] not emotional or heartbroken."
Smith testified that a day later she met him again and this time he was buoyant and even spoke of future plans.
Smith was the family member who went to the Kimberley mortuary to identify the bodies of her brother, sister-in-law, and niece.
On Monday, the court started after a short delay when the boy's defence team received documents from the prosecution which they had to discuss first.
Smith's cross-examination would start after the lunch break.
Source : Sapa /ag/fg/jk
Date : 25 Mar 2013 15:03
The Steenkamp family discussed all possible angles as to what could have happened during the 2012 Griekwastad farm killings, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Monday.
The court was hearing evidence in the triple murder trial of a 16-year-old boy.
Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were killed on the farm Naauwhoek, on April 6, 2012.
Deon Steenkamp's sister Marianna Smith, was the State's first witness on Monday.
She testified that several family members went to the farmhouse to make a list of possible stolen items.
A one stage, she and her mother Bettie Steenkamp, stood in the living room and speculated how Deon and Christel could have been overpowered in the house.
"My scenario was that somebody came down the passage [of the house] and shot Christel in front of the computer."
Smith said she had discussions with the boy in the days after the murders.
She testified that he appeared to behave normally the first time she met him.
"He did not cry, [was] not emotional or heartbroken."
Smith testified that a day later she met him again and this time he was buoyant and even spoke of future plans.
Smith was the family member who went to the Kimberley mortuary to identify the bodies of her brother, sister-in-law, and niece.
On Monday, the court started after a short delay when the boy's defence team received documents from the prosecution which they had to discuss first.
Smith's cross-examination would start after the lunch break.
Source : Sapa /ag/fg/jk
Date : 25 Mar 2013 15:03