Pathologist takes the stand in court

Wounds sustained by Van Breda come into question

ASECOND forensic pathologist called as a State witness in the Van Breda murder trial also testified about the wounds Henri van Breda sustained on the night three of his family members were killed. He is accused of killing them. Professor Jacob Dempers gave evidence after aprevious State witness, Dr Marianne Tiemensma.

Court started after a short break requested by Henri’s defence lawyer, Pieter Botha, after he raised concerns that the report Dempers had submitted included references to Van Breda’s initial statement, which he argued was inadmissible.

Botha highlighted that the accused already submitted a plea explanation which was sufficient for the witness to use when giving evidence. The State and defence then agreed to go through the report and omit references that mentioned Van Breda’s initial statement.

Dempers read out the revised version of his report, giving evidence in relation to the plea explanation Van Breda submitted.

He testified that the injuries Van Breda sustained on his arms and chest were in line with those of self-inflicted wounds.

He told the court: “I believe the scratches on the arm and chest are more likely self-inflicted.

“(The) wounds on the arm and chest are not in line with that of an attack.”

However, Dempers did say that not all of Van Breda’s wounds appeared selfinflicted. Dempers also explained how he did certain experiments to try to determine the depth of Van Breda’s stab wound to his abdomen.

In his experiment, he used pork, inserting a knife into it.

After questioning of Dempers had been completed, the State announced its next witness, who would give evidence in relation to Van Breda’s initial statement to police. The witness would have signalled the start of a trial within a trial in which the State and defence would argue on the admissibility of Van Breda’s initial statement.

Botha objected, saying he wanted to finish with the pathologists before commencing the trial within a trial.

Judge Siraj Desai ruled Dempers would testify before they would start arguments on Van Breda’s statement.

Van Breda has been charged with the murder of his parents and brother, and attempted murder of his sister.

The trial continues today.

‘I BELIEVE THE SCRATCHES ON THE ARMS AND CHEST ARE MORE LIKELY SELF-INFLICTED’

PICTURE: COURTNEY AFRICA ACCUSED: Forensic pathologist Jacob Dempers testified today in the Western Cape High Court in the Henri van Breda trial. He is accused of murdering three of his family members.