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The Chanelle Henning Murder Trial
- Thread starter blunomore
- Start date
Father? Her? SAPA at its best!
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
The trial of two men accused of plotting the murder of Chanelle Henning is scheduled to continue in the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Henning, 26, died in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011 shortly after she dropped her son off at a crèche.
The two accused, Andre Gouws and former Nigerian athlete Ambrose Monye have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
Former policeman Gerhardus du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
Henning's estranged husband Nico is a close friend of Gouws.
On Monday, the court heard that closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of Henning the day before her murder was authentic.
Faerie Glen resident Francois le Roux told the court he had helped residents of Nevada Street, in Faerie Glen, the area where Henning lived, acquire and monitor a CCTV system.
Le Roux said he heard through the media that Henning had been followed before her murder, and he decided to review the CCTV footage.
In other proceedings on Monday, prosecutor Gerrie Nel said the State expected to close its case on Tuesday.
He said the State would call only two more witnesses.
Source : Sapa /gm/clh
Date : 02 Jul 2013 02:01
Henning, 26, died in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011 shortly after she dropped her son off at a crèche.
The two accused, Andre Gouws and former Nigerian athlete Ambrose Monye have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
Former policeman Gerhardus du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
Henning's estranged husband Nico is a close friend of Gouws.
On Monday, the court heard that closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of Henning the day before her murder was authentic.
Faerie Glen resident Francois le Roux told the court he had helped residents of Nevada Street, in Faerie Glen, the area where Henning lived, acquire and monitor a CCTV system.
Le Roux said he heard through the media that Henning had been followed before her murder, and he decided to review the CCTV footage.
In other proceedings on Monday, prosecutor Gerrie Nel said the State expected to close its case on Tuesday.
He said the State would call only two more witnesses.
Source : Sapa /gm/clh
Date : 02 Jul 2013 02:01
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
The trial of two men accused of plotting the murder of Chanelle Henning was postponed in the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The State closed its case and made its witnesses available to the defence.
These included the former partners of the two accused -- Andre Gouws and former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye.
Lawyers for the two men asked for the matter to be postponed until Wednesday to have time to consult their clients.
"We were expecting that some of these [witnesses] might be called by the State," Matthew Klein, for Monye, said.
Henning, 26, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011 shortly after she dropped her child off at a creche.
Gouws and Monye have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
On Tuesday the State called its final three witnesses. The first, Cell C employee Sibongile Makhuba, testified about Monye's cellphone number.
The second was police officer Colonel Tobias Fourie from Port Elizabeth, who was contacted by Pretoria police to aid in Willem "Pike" Pieterse's arrest in Dispatch.
Former policeman Gerhardus du Plessis and Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
The third witness who testified for the State on Tuesday was Captain Rio Kriel. He helped Fourie arrest Pieterse.
The matter was scheduled to continue on Wednesday.
Source : Sapa /mv/fg/th/th/jk
Date : 02 Jul 2013 12:15
The State closed its case and made its witnesses available to the defence.
These included the former partners of the two accused -- Andre Gouws and former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye.
Lawyers for the two men asked for the matter to be postponed until Wednesday to have time to consult their clients.
"We were expecting that some of these [witnesses] might be called by the State," Matthew Klein, for Monye, said.
Henning, 26, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011 shortly after she dropped her child off at a creche.
Gouws and Monye have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
On Tuesday the State called its final three witnesses. The first, Cell C employee Sibongile Makhuba, testified about Monye's cellphone number.
The second was police officer Colonel Tobias Fourie from Port Elizabeth, who was contacted by Pretoria police to aid in Willem "Pike" Pieterse's arrest in Dispatch.
Former policeman Gerhardus du Plessis and Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
The third witness who testified for the State on Tuesday was Captain Rio Kriel. He helped Fourie arrest Pieterse.
The matter was scheduled to continue on Wednesday.
Source : Sapa /mv/fg/th/th/jk
Date : 02 Jul 2013 12:15
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Murder Accused Refuses to Appear
One of the men accused of plotting the murder of Chanelle Henning refused to come up from the cells at the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday morning.
The defence lawyer for former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye said his client was upset.
"The problem is my client's in a state of rage. He is fighting, he doesn't want to come up," Matthew Klein told the court.
Monye said he had spent two years in jail and did not know Henning or her husband Nico Henning, Klein said.
Nico Henning had never been in court and Monye felt that if a woman was killed her husband should be in court, Klein said.
"He wants to see Nico Henning eye to eye. I said to him it was not possible. He said then he would rather rot in jail."
Klein said what triggered his client's outburst was a newspaper article according to which the State had closed its case.
"He didn't sleep last night. He is upset about the whole situation. He was also very thirsty. I don't know if it's a medical condition. I will be cautious to carry on today."
Daan Mostert, for Monye's co-accused Andre Gouws, asked the court to take into consideration that the two men shared a cell.
Judge Johan Kruger adjourned proceedings until after tea.
"It seems to me he has some personal issues in this regard, but he can't hold the court at ransom," Kruger said.
Kruger asked the court interpreter to help Klein talk to his client.
Henning, 26, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011 shortly after dropping her child off at a creche.
Gouws and Monye have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
Former policeman Gerhardus du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
Henning's estranged husband is a close friend of Gouws.
On Tuesday, the State called its final three witnesses. The first, Cell C employee Sibongile Makhuba, testified about Monye's cellphone number.
The second was Colonel Tobias Fourie, from Port Elizabeth, who was contacted by Pretoria police to help arrest Pieterse in Despatch.
The third was Captain Rio Kriel, who helped Fourie arrest Pieterse.
The State closed its case and made its witnesses -- including Gouws's and Monye's former partners -- available to the defence.
Source : Sapa /mv/fg/th/ks
Date : 03 Jul 2013 11:04
One of the men accused of plotting the murder of Chanelle Henning refused to come up from the cells at the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday morning.
The defence lawyer for former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye said his client was upset.
"The problem is my client's in a state of rage. He is fighting, he doesn't want to come up," Matthew Klein told the court.
Monye said he had spent two years in jail and did not know Henning or her husband Nico Henning, Klein said.
Nico Henning had never been in court and Monye felt that if a woman was killed her husband should be in court, Klein said.
"He wants to see Nico Henning eye to eye. I said to him it was not possible. He said then he would rather rot in jail."
Klein said what triggered his client's outburst was a newspaper article according to which the State had closed its case.
"He didn't sleep last night. He is upset about the whole situation. He was also very thirsty. I don't know if it's a medical condition. I will be cautious to carry on today."
Daan Mostert, for Monye's co-accused Andre Gouws, asked the court to take into consideration that the two men shared a cell.
Judge Johan Kruger adjourned proceedings until after tea.
"It seems to me he has some personal issues in this regard, but he can't hold the court at ransom," Kruger said.
Kruger asked the court interpreter to help Klein talk to his client.
Henning, 26, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011 shortly after dropping her child off at a creche.
Gouws and Monye have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
Former policeman Gerhardus du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
Henning's estranged husband is a close friend of Gouws.
On Tuesday, the State called its final three witnesses. The first, Cell C employee Sibongile Makhuba, testified about Monye's cellphone number.
The second was Colonel Tobias Fourie, from Port Elizabeth, who was contacted by Pretoria police to help arrest Pieterse in Despatch.
The third was Captain Rio Kriel, who helped Fourie arrest Pieterse.
The State closed its case and made its witnesses -- including Gouws's and Monye's former partners -- available to the defence.
Source : Sapa /mv/fg/th/ks
Date : 03 Jul 2013 11:04
blunomore
Honorary Master
I cannot believe there is not a shred of evidence that links her husband to the crime.
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Monye Denies Involvement
Former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye denied any involvement in Chanelle Henning's murder, the High Court in Pretoria heard on Wednesday.
"My lord, I didn't know anything about it," Monye testified.
His lawyer Matthew Klein put it to him that two men convicted of the murder implicated him.
"My lord, that would be a very big lie," he replied.
Henning, 26, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011 shortly after dropping her child off at a creche.
Former policeman Gerhardus du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
Monye and his co-accused Andre Gouws have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
On Wednesday Monye said he introduced Pieterse and Du Plessis to Gouws. He said Gouws asked him to find two white men he could use for security jobs, thus he introduced them.
Monye admitted to giving money and drugs to both Du Plessis and Pieterse.
He denied knowing Henning's husband Nico Henning. He said he first heard of him during court proceedings.
"I have never met him. We could never identify each other."
Henning's estranged husband is a close friend of Gouws.
Klein finished his questioning and Monye would now be cross-examined.
Earlier Monye refused to emerge from the cells. Klein told the court his client was upset.
"The problem is my client's in a state of rage. He is fighting, he doesn't want to come up," he said.
Monye said he had spent two years in jail and did not know Henning or her husband, Klein said. Monye felt that if a woman was killed her husband should be in court, Klein said.
"He wants to see Nico Henning eye to eye. I said to him it was not possible. He said then he would rather rot in jail."
Klein said his client's outburst was triggered by a newspaper article according to which the State had closed its case.
"He didn't sleep last night. He is upset about the whole situation. He was also very thirsty. I don't know if it's a medical condition. I will be cautious to carry on today."
Daan Mostert, for Gouws, asked the court to take into consideration that the two men shared a cell.
Judge Johan Kruger then adjourned proceedings until after tea.
"It seems to me he has some personal issues in this regard, but he can't hold the court at ransom," Kruger said.
Kruger asked the court interpreter to help Klein talk to his client.
Source : Sapa /mv/jk/ks/th
Date : 03 Jul 2013 14:23
Former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye denied any involvement in Chanelle Henning's murder, the High Court in Pretoria heard on Wednesday.
"My lord, I didn't know anything about it," Monye testified.
His lawyer Matthew Klein put it to him that two men convicted of the murder implicated him.
"My lord, that would be a very big lie," he replied.
Henning, 26, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011 shortly after dropping her child off at a creche.
Former policeman Gerhardus du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
Monye and his co-accused Andre Gouws have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
On Wednesday Monye said he introduced Pieterse and Du Plessis to Gouws. He said Gouws asked him to find two white men he could use for security jobs, thus he introduced them.
Monye admitted to giving money and drugs to both Du Plessis and Pieterse.
He denied knowing Henning's husband Nico Henning. He said he first heard of him during court proceedings.
"I have never met him. We could never identify each other."
Henning's estranged husband is a close friend of Gouws.
Klein finished his questioning and Monye would now be cross-examined.
Earlier Monye refused to emerge from the cells. Klein told the court his client was upset.
"The problem is my client's in a state of rage. He is fighting, he doesn't want to come up," he said.
Monye said he had spent two years in jail and did not know Henning or her husband, Klein said. Monye felt that if a woman was killed her husband should be in court, Klein said.
"He wants to see Nico Henning eye to eye. I said to him it was not possible. He said then he would rather rot in jail."
Klein said his client's outburst was triggered by a newspaper article according to which the State had closed its case.
"He didn't sleep last night. He is upset about the whole situation. He was also very thirsty. I don't know if it's a medical condition. I will be cautious to carry on today."
Daan Mostert, for Gouws, asked the court to take into consideration that the two men shared a cell.
Judge Johan Kruger then adjourned proceedings until after tea.
"It seems to me he has some personal issues in this regard, but he can't hold the court at ransom," Kruger said.
Kruger asked the court interpreter to help Klein talk to his client.
Source : Sapa /mv/jk/ks/th
Date : 03 Jul 2013 14:23
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
I have no reason to lie: Monye
One of the men accused of plotting the murder of Chanelle Henning told the High Court in Pretoria on Thursday he had no reason to lie.
"My lord, I stand nothing to gain from keeping myself in [prison]," former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye told the court.
Henning, 26, died in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011 shortly after dropping off her child at a creche.
The two accused, Andre Gouws and Monye, have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
Former policeman Gerhardus du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
On Thursday prosecutor Gerrie Nel questioned Monye on the accuracy of his testimony.
Monye testified on Wednesday and Thursday that he introduced Pieterse and Du Plessis to Gouws. He said the two men approached him asking for jobs as security guards.
He said Gouws asked him to find two white men he could use for such work, thus he introduced them.
Nel asked why Monye never asked Gouws how the business relationship between him, Du Plessis, and Pieterse was going. Nel said Monye never asked because he knew the answer.
Monye maintained he was either preoccupied, or when he spoke to Gouws over the phone Gouws ended the call quickly.
"Your version is so improbable that it cannot reasonably possibly be true," Nel said.
"Don't you want to tell the truth?" Nel asked. He then asked Monye if he was afraid of Gouws.
"I can never be scared of him," Monye replied.
Nel wanted to know if Monye was afraid of Du Plessis or Pieterse.
"No way, my lord," he replied.
On Wednesday, Monye denied any involvement in Henning's murder. He said he did not know her, did not know where she lived, and had not gone to her place in Faerie Glen.
He said he had not met her estranged husband Nico Henning, and that Gouws had not discussed the murder with him.
Source : Sapa /mv/ks/jk/th
Date : 04 Jul 2013 12:17
One of the men accused of plotting the murder of Chanelle Henning told the High Court in Pretoria on Thursday he had no reason to lie.
"My lord, I stand nothing to gain from keeping myself in [prison]," former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye told the court.
Henning, 26, died in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011 shortly after dropping off her child at a creche.
The two accused, Andre Gouws and Monye, have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
Former policeman Gerhardus du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
On Thursday prosecutor Gerrie Nel questioned Monye on the accuracy of his testimony.
Monye testified on Wednesday and Thursday that he introduced Pieterse and Du Plessis to Gouws. He said the two men approached him asking for jobs as security guards.
He said Gouws asked him to find two white men he could use for such work, thus he introduced them.
Nel asked why Monye never asked Gouws how the business relationship between him, Du Plessis, and Pieterse was going. Nel said Monye never asked because he knew the answer.
Monye maintained he was either preoccupied, or when he spoke to Gouws over the phone Gouws ended the call quickly.
"Your version is so improbable that it cannot reasonably possibly be true," Nel said.
"Don't you want to tell the truth?" Nel asked. He then asked Monye if he was afraid of Gouws.
"I can never be scared of him," Monye replied.
Nel wanted to know if Monye was afraid of Du Plessis or Pieterse.
"No way, my lord," he replied.
On Wednesday, Monye denied any involvement in Henning's murder. He said he did not know her, did not know where she lived, and had not gone to her place in Faerie Glen.
He said he had not met her estranged husband Nico Henning, and that Gouws had not discussed the murder with him.
Source : Sapa /mv/ks/jk/th
Date : 04 Jul 2013 12:17
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Andre Gouws to Testify
Andre Gouws, one of the men accused of plotting the murder of Chanelle Henning, will take the stand in the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The cross-examination of his co-accused, former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye, was concluded on Tuesday morning, and the case for his defence was also closed.
Gouws's mother and Henning's parents were in court on Tuesday morning.
On Monday the court heard Monye was the pivot between those allegedly involved in Henning's murder.
"You were the central figure, the pivotal point, around which these things happened," Daan Mostert, for Gouws, said.
Henning, 26, died in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011, shortly after dropping off her child at a creche.
Monye and Gouws have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
The State alleges Monye and Gouws conspired with former policeman Gerhardus "Doepie" du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse (alias Tattoo).
Du Plessis and Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
Monye has denied any part in the crime.
Source : Sapa /mv/th/jk
Date : 09 Jul 2013 11:23
Andre Gouws, one of the men accused of plotting the murder of Chanelle Henning, will take the stand in the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The cross-examination of his co-accused, former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye, was concluded on Tuesday morning, and the case for his defence was also closed.
Gouws's mother and Henning's parents were in court on Tuesday morning.
On Monday the court heard Monye was the pivot between those allegedly involved in Henning's murder.
"You were the central figure, the pivotal point, around which these things happened," Daan Mostert, for Gouws, said.
Henning, 26, died in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011, shortly after dropping off her child at a creche.
Monye and Gouws have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
The State alleges Monye and Gouws conspired with former policeman Gerhardus "Doepie" du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse (alias Tattoo).
Du Plessis and Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
Monye has denied any part in the crime.
Source : Sapa /mv/th/jk
Date : 09 Jul 2013 11:23
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Henning Murder Trial Continues
The Chanelle Henning murder trial resumes at the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Henning, 26, died in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011, shortly after dropping off her child at a creche.
Andre Gouws and his co-accused, former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye, have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
The State alleged that Monye and Gouws conspired with former policeman Gerhardus "Doepie" du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse (alias Tattoo).
Du Plessis and Pieterse were serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
In his testimony, Gouws admitted that Nico Henning asked him to do surveillance on Henning to see if she used drugs.
The couple were going through a divorce and fighting over custody of their child.
Source : Sapa /mm/ks/nsm
Date : 11 Sep 2013 02:10
The Chanelle Henning murder trial resumes at the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday.
Henning, 26, died in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011, shortly after dropping off her child at a creche.
Andre Gouws and his co-accused, former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye, have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.
The State alleged that Monye and Gouws conspired with former policeman Gerhardus "Doepie" du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse (alias Tattoo).
Du Plessis and Pieterse were serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
In his testimony, Gouws admitted that Nico Henning asked him to do surveillance on Henning to see if she used drugs.
The couple were going through a divorce and fighting over custody of their child.
Source : Sapa /mm/ks/nsm
Date : 11 Sep 2013 02:10
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Alleged Killers 'conspired to kill' Henning
There was enough evidence that former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye and his friend Andre Gouws had conspired to murder Chanelle Henning, the High Court in Pretoria heard on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel asked the court to convict Monye and Gouws of conspiring to murder Henning.
Henning was gunned down in a drive-by shooting outside a Faerie Glen crèche in Pretoria on November 8, 2013.
The State submitted that the two had conspired with former policeman Gerhardus (Dup) du Plessis and Willem (Pike) Pieterse to murder Henning.
Du Plessis and Pieterse, who are self-confessed drug addicts, are serving 18-year prison sentences after confessing to killing Henning.
They implicated Monye and Gouws, who was friends with Henning's husband Nico Henning, as the men behind the murder.
Monye was acquitted on another murder charge in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court when Henning was shot.
He admitted introducing the two killers to Gouws, but said he knew nothing about the murder.
Gouws admitted watching Henning's movements at her husband's request, but said he wanted to see if he could catch her with drugs.
He denied arranging her murder.
Nel handed a detailed time line of events and comprehensive heads of argument to the court.
He argued that the court should accept the evidence of Du Plessis and Pieterse as their versions had been consistent and was corroborated by cellphone detail billing and video footage.
Their versions that there were meetings on particular days and at specific places were later confirmed by the accused themselves.
Nel described Monye and Gouws as two of the worst witnesses he had ever met.
"They were deceitful, had tailored their versions and their versions were in addition not only improbable but also factually impossible," said Nel.
“This is… one of the rare cases where the State could argue that a conviction should follow on the strength of the State case even if the accused's version, evaluated in isolation could be argued to be reasonable possible."
Nel said Du Plessis and Pieterse accepted that they had committed an atrocious crime and that murdering a woman they had never met was senseless.
The two were willing to face the accused and never contradicted themselves, Nel said.
In contrast, Gouws sat back in the witness box with stretched arms.
He answered questions confidently at first but slowly regressed as he tried to hide behind a childhood injury that purportedly affected his memory.
Nel said Gouws had even relied on the Bible to convince the court that he was telling the truth, but was nevertheless a dismal witness.
He argued that only Nico Henning could have disclosed the home, work and crèche addresses and only his friend Gouws could have provided detail about the deceased to Monye and the two killers.
The victim initiated custody proceedings shortly before she was killed and with her out of the way, there was at least one less role player in the custody battle, Nel argued.
He said Gouws had avoided contact with Nico on the day after the murder, but could however not resist to “congratulate” his friend and to tell him he was proud of him that evening – this after Nico thought he had done well in a lie detector test.
Matthew Klein, for Monye, and Daan Mostert, for Gouws, both argued that the court should be careful of relying on the evidence of self-confessed drug addicts, murders, thieves and co-perpetrators.
Klein said the State's case was based on circumstantial evidence and one could not merely infer that the State had proved its case against his client beyond reasonable doubt.
Mostert argued that the killers had been in possession of the murder weapon long before they met Gouws and that Gouws' version that he had never discussed anything with the two was reasonably possibly true.
Judgment would be delivered on November 25.
Source : Sapa /str/gm/ks
Date : 11 Sep 2013 20:38
There was enough evidence that former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye and his friend Andre Gouws had conspired to murder Chanelle Henning, the High Court in Pretoria heard on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel asked the court to convict Monye and Gouws of conspiring to murder Henning.
Henning was gunned down in a drive-by shooting outside a Faerie Glen crèche in Pretoria on November 8, 2013.
The State submitted that the two had conspired with former policeman Gerhardus (Dup) du Plessis and Willem (Pike) Pieterse to murder Henning.
Du Plessis and Pieterse, who are self-confessed drug addicts, are serving 18-year prison sentences after confessing to killing Henning.
They implicated Monye and Gouws, who was friends with Henning's husband Nico Henning, as the men behind the murder.
Monye was acquitted on another murder charge in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court when Henning was shot.
He admitted introducing the two killers to Gouws, but said he knew nothing about the murder.
Gouws admitted watching Henning's movements at her husband's request, but said he wanted to see if he could catch her with drugs.
He denied arranging her murder.
Nel handed a detailed time line of events and comprehensive heads of argument to the court.
He argued that the court should accept the evidence of Du Plessis and Pieterse as their versions had been consistent and was corroborated by cellphone detail billing and video footage.
Their versions that there were meetings on particular days and at specific places were later confirmed by the accused themselves.
Nel described Monye and Gouws as two of the worst witnesses he had ever met.
"They were deceitful, had tailored their versions and their versions were in addition not only improbable but also factually impossible," said Nel.
“This is… one of the rare cases where the State could argue that a conviction should follow on the strength of the State case even if the accused's version, evaluated in isolation could be argued to be reasonable possible."
Nel said Du Plessis and Pieterse accepted that they had committed an atrocious crime and that murdering a woman they had never met was senseless.
The two were willing to face the accused and never contradicted themselves, Nel said.
In contrast, Gouws sat back in the witness box with stretched arms.
He answered questions confidently at first but slowly regressed as he tried to hide behind a childhood injury that purportedly affected his memory.
Nel said Gouws had even relied on the Bible to convince the court that he was telling the truth, but was nevertheless a dismal witness.
He argued that only Nico Henning could have disclosed the home, work and crèche addresses and only his friend Gouws could have provided detail about the deceased to Monye and the two killers.
The victim initiated custody proceedings shortly before she was killed and with her out of the way, there was at least one less role player in the custody battle, Nel argued.
He said Gouws had avoided contact with Nico on the day after the murder, but could however not resist to “congratulate” his friend and to tell him he was proud of him that evening – this after Nico thought he had done well in a lie detector test.
Matthew Klein, for Monye, and Daan Mostert, for Gouws, both argued that the court should be careful of relying on the evidence of self-confessed drug addicts, murders, thieves and co-perpetrators.
Klein said the State's case was based on circumstantial evidence and one could not merely infer that the State had proved its case against his client beyond reasonable doubt.
Mostert argued that the killers had been in possession of the murder weapon long before they met Gouws and that Gouws' version that he had never discussed anything with the two was reasonably possibly true.
Judgment would be delivered on November 25.
Source : Sapa /str/gm/ks
Date : 11 Sep 2013 20:38
blunomore
Honorary Master
I am intrigued as to why police/prosecution cannot establish/prove a link with her husband?
Why would none of these men - not even the ones who have been imprisoned already - spill the beans on the husband and implicate him? I find it absurd and unbelievable that they would have simply decided by themselves to kill the woman.
Why would none of these men - not even the ones who have been imprisoned already - spill the beans on the husband and implicate him? I find it absurd and unbelievable that they would have simply decided by themselves to kill the woman.
supersunbird
Honorary Master
The ones who confessed did not have direct contact with Nico Henning I assume, so they cant testify to that.
Friends phone each other and the calls are not kept and recorded, so that makes that line of evidence useless (phone records). I asumed they did not use sms's because sms's would leave a trail of text.
blunomore
Honorary Master
What I am trying to say is why do the ones that DID have a link to the husband and agreed to kill her on his request, not admit it? If life - or a few years - prison is awaiting you, you are very likely to out your co-perpetrator in order to shift the blame and lesson your own sentence.
Look, the prosecution know that he's involved... but proving that link has been problematic. Somewhere along their line of communication they managed to keep the link broken.
R13...
Honorary Master
These are hardened criminals and likely see no gain in giving up their client. They might even believe they can beat the rap, that Nigerian drug kingpin dude is alleged to walked from a few murders.
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Verdict expected in Henning murder trial
Judgement was expected to be delivered in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday in the case of two men implicated in the murder of Chanelle Henning.
Henning, 26, was gunned down in Faerie Glen shortly after she had dropped her son off at crèche in November 2011,
Andre Gouws and former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye, have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder her.
The State alleged that Monye and Gouws conspired with former policeman Gerhardus "Doepie" du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse (alias Tattoo).
Du Plessis and Pieterse were serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
In his testimony, Gouws admitted that Chanelle's husband, Nico Henning asked him to do surveillance on Henning to see if she used drugs.
The couple were going through a divorce and fighting over custody of their child.
Source : Sapa /nsm/kn
Date : 25 Nov 2013 02:00
Judgement was expected to be delivered in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday in the case of two men implicated in the murder of Chanelle Henning.
Henning, 26, was gunned down in Faerie Glen shortly after she had dropped her son off at crèche in November 2011,
Andre Gouws and former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye, have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder her.
The State alleged that Monye and Gouws conspired with former policeman Gerhardus "Doepie" du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse (alias Tattoo).
Du Plessis and Pieterse were serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
In his testimony, Gouws admitted that Chanelle's husband, Nico Henning asked him to do surveillance on Henning to see if she used drugs.
The couple were going through a divorce and fighting over custody of their child.
Source : Sapa /nsm/kn
Date : 25 Nov 2013 02:00
TelkomUseless
Honorary Master
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Maybe the husband was clever enough not be linked to them.. or he paid them good money to keep quiet..
blunomore
Honorary Master
Maybe.
I am mulling the exact same questions about Donovan Moodley. It was apparent, according to Piet Byleveld, that Moodley did not act alone, yet he never gave up his accomplices.
I fail to understand why . It's not like there is honour amongst thieves -and murderers, for that matter.
TelkomUseless
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Yip.. can be only money IMHO. They take the fall, and after release they get their money (or similar)
Or a loved one is threatened along with some money offer for doing the time without ratting out the other party.