HIS BODY LANGUAGE: WHAT IT REVEALS
Jason Rohde’s general demeanour on the witness stand he creates the perception that he’s a man of reason and logic who’s willing to cooperate with the legal process, says Denise Björkman, a body language expert from Johannesburg.
“His tone of voice is one of studied confidence and his intelligence shows in his ability to parry questions with a rhetorical question,” she adds.
But Björkman is more interested in what he conveys with his body language rather than his words.
She points out that earlier in the trial he had a habit of clenching his jaw and thrusting it slightly forward, which made him look like a boxer.
But now he seems to have changed his approach.
“He seems to be pursuing one of accommodation and collaboration.”
She says his eyebrows are frequently lowered, which indicates he’s trying not to give too much away.
“This is an unconscious and evolutionary response to hide the eyes – it suggests a deep-seated anxiety. This response is found in primates as well as humans when conflict is expected and the person is going in prepared.”
She says when he demonstrated in court how he held Susan’s neck during their altercation his voice sounded shaky and slightly strident. This is because when a threat is apparent the throat literally closes and causes the voice to strain.
Björkman says that from the start Jason has come across as a man who takes pride in his appearance. She says the dark suits and ties and white shirts he wears project an image of someone who’s civilised, professional, in control and an upstanding member of the community. His pants are narrower than usual for his age and position – particularly at the ankle, Björkman adds. This suggests he wants to look young and attractive.
She says based on the outward signs he’s giving she’s inclined to believe he’s stressed rather than depressed.
“Depressed people are less likely to groom themselves perfectly. Anxious people will give more attention to detail.”