Griquatown teen ‘did not hear attack’
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Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were killed on their farm, Naauwhoek. Northern Cape farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and daughter Marthella, 14, were killed on their farm, Naauwhoek.
Kimberley - The 17-year-old accused of killing three members of the Steenkamp family on their farm did not hear one of them being attacked 15 metres away, the Northern Cape High Court heard on Tuesday.
“You want the court to believe for one moment that you heard nothing of Marthella’s attack... 15 metres from where you were?” prosecutor Hannes Cloete asked the accused.
“Yes, Honourable,” the boy answered.
Northern Cape Judge President Frans Kgomo is hearing evidence in Kimberley in the trial of the boy accused of killing farmer Deon Steenkamp, 44, his wife Christel, 43, and their daughter Marthella, 14. They were shot dead on their farm Naauwhoek, near Griquatown, on April 6, 2012. He is also accused of raping Marthella and of defeating the ends of justice.
The boy's cross-examination by the State entered its second day on Tuesday.
Cloete told the boy that, according to his own version, he must have been 15 steps from where the girl was attacked.
“You would have had a view of where Marthella and her attackers would have been.”
Cloete told the boy the State was not expecting him to change his testimony. However, his story in court was so untruthful that “it hurts even listening to it”.
The State questioned the boy on evidence that he told the investigating officers and another witness that he had heard the girl screaming.
On Tuesday he said he was not sure about this.
“We accept that you heard the girl’s screams,” said Cloete.
The boy answered: “I testify to what I can remember. I cannot remember today.”
Cloete told the boy he was worried about his almost “never mind” attitude when answering questions. He reminded the boy the court knew what Marthella experienced.
“And you say you heard nothing while two witnesses told the court you told them you heard her scream,” Cloete said in court.
The trial continues.
Sapa