Testimony and evidence align

THE VERSION presented by former Sotheby’s boss Jason Rohde on events that transpired on the night of his wife’s murder were consistent with bloodstains observed at the scene by a bloodstain pattern analyst.

Jason’s wife, Susan Rohde, was found dead on July 24, 2016. Her body was found in the bathroom in a hotel room at the Spier Wine Estate that the couple had been occupying.

It is the State’s case that Susan was murdered by her husband, but according to Jason’s defence team she had hung herself with an electric wire on the bathroom door following a fight the couple had.

Yesterday, Rohde returned to court after almost a week’s delay due to him terminating contracts with three of his initial legal representatives, including top criminal advocate Pete Mihalik.

Jason is now down to two representa- tives, advocate Graham Van der Spuy and attorney Daniel Witz.

The State called in Captain Marius Joubert, a bloodstain expert.

Joubert was one of the people called to the crime scene by the head of the detective unit in Stellenbosch.

He said that on arrival he made his observation, asked that a statement be obtained from Jason as well as the clothes he was wearing at the time. Joubert also instructed that Jason be medically examined. However, that was not done on the day.

Joubert said at some point before, after or during the incident Jason’s blood came into contact with the duvet covers, pillow cases and was found in the bathroom.

“I can’t determine what time those specific bloodstains were created,” he said.

Joubert said the bloodstains were insignificant and could have been caused by a small cut, which he might not have felt.

“The bloodstains are very minor… slight,” said Joubert.

He agreed with the defence that in respect of Jason’s blood traces, it was not of such a nature to indicate trauma or violence. In his plea explanation, Jason said he and Susan had a fight over his infidelity.

The night before the murder, Jason said in a scuffle he had hit his wife’s face. He recalled hitting her on the nose in a blocking movement and that Susan had blood on her right side after she had tripped on a pavement and landed on the edge of the

I CAN’T DETERMINE WHAT TIME THOSE SPECIFIC BLOODSTAINS WERE CREATED

garden bed.

“The version presented is consistent to the bloodstains observed from looking at the crime scene.

“Injuries sustained by the victim on her feet , two abrasions, were consistent with bloodstains halfway on the bed,” he said.

Before the case adjourned State prosecutor, Louie Van Niekerk said he and the defence had made progress as to how the trial would continue. The case continues today. – zodidi.dano@inl.co.za