Rob Packham takes the stand: It was a random killing
15/04/2019
Gill Packham's ashy remains were found in the trunk of her car, at the Diepriver train station, on the morning of 22 February 2018.
Her husband, the former general manager at Twizza, was fingered as the one who had killed her.
Read Packham trial: Court hears grim details of wife Gill's fatal injuries
The state questions Rob Packham on incriminating evidence As reported by IOL News, the state has gathered strong physical evidence that suggests Packham's guilt.
Traffic cameras that spotted him in Gill's car, heading in the direction of where her body was found, had been collected.
Eyewitnesses have come forth, placing Packham in and around the train station.
However, until this day, Packham has refuted all claims of his involvement, and testifying in his own defence under oath he chalked up his wife's death to a possible random killing.
Read Packham trial: State burns holes in husband's alibi
The state, led by advocate Susan Galloway, believes that Gill was murdered by Packham at the home in Constantia, after an alleged fall-out that is closely related to revelations that were made regarding the 57-year-old's extra-marital affairs.
Packham attempts to explain it all away Forensic evidence has led the state's prosecution to believe that the crime scene was at the couple's home.
Packham's account was that he last saw Gill alive on the evening of 21 February 2018, the night she stormed out after a heated argument.
Packham's defence attorney, Craig Webster, presented an alternative to most of the evidence that was gathered in the Packham home.
Read Packham trial: The bizarre details of the defendant's behaviour so far
When asked about blood evidence that was found in his home, Packham offered a vague explanation about how it may have gotten there.
He alleged that the blood that was found on the compost bag could have been caused by a thorn she may have stepped on.
He also explained that the blood found in the bathroom could have been from a shaving incident.
I have a little mole or growth on the neck that has a habit of getting itself nicked. It happens several times a month. So much so that Gill wanted me to get an electric razor, he said.
It was a random killing Packham The 57-year-old also pointed at the possibility that Gill may have been randomly attacked by robbers at their home garage after she had stormed out.
However, Galloway was quick to point out the irregularity in that statement.
Read Packham: Murder accused's sexual, role-play fantasies come to light
The security lights and alarm never went on. The dogs were outside and had not made any alerts to the presence of outsiders, How, then could she have been attacked by robbers in their garage, Galloway asked.
I don't know. I didn't follow her when she left, was his answer.
His testimony torn to shreds, Packham was excused from the stand. He is due to return for further cross-examination on Tuesday, 16 April.
Tags: Cape TownCrime, Courts and JusticeSouth Africa
LINK: | https://www.thesouthafrican.com/rob-packham-takes-stand-random-killing... |
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