The High Court in Cape Town is on Monday expected to decide whether to allow a psychologist to testify on behalf of triple murder accused, Henri van Breda.
Defence counsel Piet Botha wants the court to hear expert opinion on why Van Breda failed to assist his family members while they were being attacked by an alleged axe-wielding intruder at their Stellenbosch home in January 2015.
He has testified that he witnessed the attacks, but failed to help the family members because he was scared.
Botha told the court last week that he had observed a distinct line of questioning to his client by the State, as well as the judge.
They had asked Van Breda to explain why he had failed to come to the aid of his family. The yet to be named psychologist will give an opinion on whether Van Breda’s behaviour is typical of someone confronted with a similar situation.
Van Breda says he witnessed an axe wielding intruder hack his brother and father. He had not witnessed the attack on his mother and sister. Judge Desai will rule on the admissibility of the psychologists’ evidence.
