Today was a pretty explosive start to the trial of Henri van Breda, which finally began in the Western Cape High Court.

First up there was Henri’s version of events, in which he claims that the attacker laughed at various points during the attack.

You can read that in full HERE, but we will move onto what happened once court resumed after the adjournment for tea.

Adrian Kleynhans, the first officer on the scene, testified as to what he saw when he arrived.

News24 with the blow-by-blow of his testimony:

12 Goske Street was in a cul-de-sac. At scene, I noticed that the front door was slightly open. Went to the door, and door opened. A man in grey shorts, white socks and blood on his body was there.

Got out of car, with my weapon. Possibility that the suspect/s could still be there.

Kept the gun 45 degree angle. Man came out of house, I told him to come toward where I was standing. Told him to sit on the ground.

The man was nervous, no crying. He was emotional, followed my instructions.

That person was Henri van Breda.

I asked him to move in my direction and do what I say. I asked him if he was okay. In Afrikaans, but communication wasn’t so lekker, started speaking English.

I asked him if he needed medical help. Could see blood. Rubbed his head, asked him if he was there alone.

Said no, his family was attacked with axe, were upstairs in the bedrooms.

Checked if he was okay. I smelt alcohol on his breath. Suspect he drank a short while ago. I could smell is strongly.

I could hear in his voice he was emotional. There was no tears, like someone who was blowing off steam.

He didn’t say anything else to me. Entered the house, scanned and moved up steps, saw a bloody axe laying there.

I climbed over axe, went up. Saw person laying on back and on stomach. [Marli and her mother]

First thing I noticed, I couldn’t see anything wrong. Only after I ascended the stairs. Downstairs looked fine.

Didn’t fit in with my experience of crime scene. There was a laptop on the table, plugged into wall, a handbag on the table.

TV was still there.

Usually a burglary would see whole house deurmekaar.

Upstairs, the lady laying on her stomach was moving her arm and leg. I could save a life, and contacted paramedics for help…

Paramedics couldn’t touch or disturb scene. Took four photos of the scene so that they could move the one lady.

Henri was sitting in the ambulance. That was the last time I saw him.

From here Adrian moves onto describing the scene as the court looks at photos of the crime scene:

Thought something was strange. Found two cigarettes on the floor. If you open a packet of cigarettes, you wont tear it open. Smoked without an ashtray.

Kitchen door was open. Windows were slightly open, no sign of forced entry.

Went back into the house, trying to find how access was gained. Found no sign of forced entry.

Went out back door, found a golf cart and golf bag. White walls surround the house, about 1.3m high.

On property was a black gate, with a key in it. Intruders would have left through there. The gate was closed.

Kleynhans says there were no scuff marks indicating someone may have jumped house’s wall.

Looked like blood droplets on ground where paramedics had carried Marli.

Kleynhans saw emergency numbers printed on a paper stuck on the fridge.

Kleynhans says there weren’t visible signs of blood having being washed away – inferring crime scene not tampered with.

Paramedics asked me to check bag for medical aid cards, he says.

I opened the wallet, saw there was cash in the wallet, I think if it was a burglary, it would have been taken.

An axe and a knife is being shown to Kleynhans – recognises the axe, but not the knife.

In loco inspection at the crime scene is expected for tomorrow.

At this point court adjourned for the day.

Sheesh, certainly an action-packed start.

I suppose we best ready ourselves for another Oscar-style courtroom drama to play out here, and all we can hope is that the truth comes to light.

[source:news24]