Baby killing: Woman in court

2005-06-20 22:49

Abigail Isaacs

Cape Town - The veil was lifted on Monday on the identity of the young woman who allegedly contracted four men to murder six-month-old Jordan Leigh Norton in Cape Town.

Dina Manuela Rodriques, 24, of Wynberg stared at magistrate Hafiesa Mohammed when Wynberg magistrate's court heard she planned the "contract murder" on Jordan.

None of the baby's family attended the hearing.

Rodriques, dressed in black trousers and a fleece top, is charged with murder.

Prosecutor E B Mocke told the court four men forced their way into the Norton residence in Rondebosch East last Wednesday after a call the previous evening about a parcel that was to be delivered.

Mocke said Rodriques was linked to the murder by statements made to police and evidence found at the murder house.

Jordan, her uncle, Dylan Norton, 18, and her nanny were the only people at home at the time of the attack.

State will oppose bail

The men grabbed the baby from the nanny's arms, tied the woman and Dylan up and locked them in a bathroom.

Dylan found Jordan's body after the men allegedly stabbed her in the neck and fled with a safe containing a firearm.

Mocke said the State would oppose bail for Rodriques because of the seriousness of the crime.

The State also feared she could intimidate witnesses and tamper with evidence.

Mocke asked that the case be postponed until next Monday pending further investigation.

Jordan's biological father, Neil Wilson of Kirstenhof, said through his legal representative, Milton de la Harpe, that he did not want to comment on his ties with Rodriques.

Apparently, he and Rodriques were once friends.

De la Harpe confirmed Wilson learned in February he was Jordan's father and that they had been negotiating maintenance.

He emphasised that his client was not a suspect and was co-operating fully with police.

The four robbers remain at large.

- Die Burger