The third day of the trial of Henri Van Breda‚ accused of murdering his parents and brother and attempting to murder his sister‚ began on Wednesday with a dramatic complaint from his advocate Piet Botha‚ who accused a media house of drawing up and publicising an inaccurate sketch of the inside of the family home where the killings took place.
Although members of the media were allowed access to De Zalze estate in Stellenbosch on Tuesday‚ they were not allowed to enter 12 Goske Street‚ the scene of the crime.
Botha complained that the sketch was “speculative” and purported to show exactly where the bodies had been found‚ despite those details not being made public.
In response‚ Judge Siraj Desai said he did not want to “reprimand” any individuals but emphasised that all reporting should be truthful and accurate.
The exchange comes amid a battle in the Supreme Court of Appeal over whether the court proceedings may be televised. Desai gave the go-ahead but appeals have been lodged by the state and the defence.
Van Breda‚ 22‚ sat with an inscrutable face on Wednesday as media snapped shots of him in the dock. He looked up at the public gallery at one stage.
Botha immediately went into details based on Tuesday’s in loco inspection of the property‚ insisting that it was possible for someone to have accessed the estate via one narrow section.
“I am not saying it is probable‚ I am saying it is possible‚” said Botha.
However‚ Desai said: “Between the fence and the wall there is a very narrow space where there is no electricity‚ but it would be extremely hazardous and difficult for someone to get through there.”
Botha also pointed to the lack of burglar bars on the house‚ and denied that someone in the neighbouring home (number 10) would have a clear view of the balcony of no 12.
The day was cut shorter than expected and adjourned after less than an hour of proceedings. The case will resume on Tuesday.
Van Breda's advocate attacks 'speculative' media sketch
The third day of the trial of Henri Van Breda‚ accused of murdering his parents and brother and attempting to murder his sister‚ began on Wednesday with a dramatic complaint from his advocate Piet Botha‚ who accused a media house of drawing up and publicising an inaccurate sketch of the inside of the family home where the killings took place.
Although members of the media were allowed access to De Zalze estate in Stellenbosch on Tuesday‚ they were not allowed to enter 12 Goske Street‚ the scene of the crime.
Botha complained that the sketch was “speculative” and purported to show exactly where the bodies had been found‚ despite those details not being made public.
In response‚ Judge Siraj Desai said he did not want to “reprimand” any individuals but emphasised that all reporting should be truthful and accurate.
The exchange comes amid a battle in the Supreme Court of Appeal over whether the court proceedings may be televised. Desai gave the go-ahead but appeals have been lodged by the state and the defence.
Van Breda‚ 22‚ sat with an inscrutable face on Wednesday as media snapped shots of him in the dock. He looked up at the public gallery at one stage.
Botha immediately went into details based on Tuesday’s in loco inspection of the property‚ insisting that it was possible for someone to have accessed the estate via one narrow section.
“I am not saying it is probable‚ I am saying it is possible‚” said Botha.
However‚ Desai said: “Between the fence and the wall there is a very narrow space where there is no electricity‚ but it would be extremely hazardous and difficult for someone to get through there.”
Botha also pointed to the lack of burglar bars on the house‚ and denied that someone in the neighbouring home (number 10) would have a clear view of the balcony of no 12.
The day was cut shorter than expected and adjourned after less than an hour of proceedings. The case will resume on Tuesday.
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