The person who stabbed baby Jordan-Leigh Norton in the neck had the direct intention of killing her, it was argued in the Cape High Court on Monday. Closing argument started before Judge Basher Waglay in the marathon trial of five suspects, including the alleged mastermind in the baby’s murder, Dina Rodrigues.
In the dock with Rodrigues are Sipho Mfazwe, Mongezi Bobotyane, Zanethemba Gwada and Bonginkosi Sigenu.
Rodrigues is alleged to have hired her four co-accused to murder Jordan-Leigh and to have paid them R10 000 for this. Her motive was, allegedly, to save the infant’s father, teacher Neil Wilson, the burden of maintenance payments, as Rodrigues was at that stage heavily involved in a romantic relationship with Wilson with plans to marry him.
Wilson had previously had a similar relationship with the baby’s mother, Natasha Norton, which had resulted in Jordan-Leigh’s birth. The murder took place at the Norton home in Lansdowne, on June 15 2005.
Prosecutor Nicolette Bell, assisted by Maria Marshal, outlined the case to the court and said it took only a few minutes for the baby to die from the stab wound to her neck. She said the post-mortem examination showed that excessive force was used to stab her.
Bell recalled that Wilson had appeared nervous during his testimony, but contended that his evidence had been corroborated in all material aspects by other witnesses.
”He was aware that Rodrigues was jealous about the fact that Natasha Norton had had a baby from him,” said Bell. ”He then receives a call from Rodrigues, who says the baby has been killed, and that she paid R10 000 for the murder.
”Wilson’s reaction was natural — he thought it a hoax. Wilson goes so far as to tell the court he did not think Rodrigues was in her sound and sober senses. This happened on a Wednesday, and for two days he said nothing to anyone about the admission that Rodrigues had made to him.”
Bell said much was made of this aspect during cross-examination, but Wilson’s testimony, if viewed in totality with all the other evidence, was corroborated.
She recalled to the court Rodrigues’s reaction after her interview with investigating officer Captain Emarentia Bailey.
”Rodrigues broke down and exclaimed, ‘Oh my God, what have I done — I am going to go to jail,”’ said Bell.
The five have pleaded not guilty to five charges — murder, conspiracy to murder, aggravated robbery and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Rodrigues alone faces a sixth charge of intimidation relating to threatening SMSs she allegedly sent Wilson.
The case continues on Tuesday. — Sapa