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Dina 'couldn't kill baby'
30/06/2005 19:42 - (SA)
Cape Town - Lawyers for accused baby killer Dina Rodrigues argued on Thursday that she was incapable of ordering a contract killer to murder a child.
Rodrigues is applying in Wynberg magistrate's court for bail in connection with the death of six-month-old Jordon Leigh Norton.
Magistrate Hafiza Mohamed postponed the application to July 5 after the State asked for more time to study the final analysis of a handwriting expert and a waybill.
As Rodrigues was led to the court cells on her way to Pollsmoor Prison, her eldest brother, who declined to be named, kissed her, as people called out: "We love you Dina" and "You're great".
The baby's throat was slit after four men, allegedly acting on Rodrigues' orders, barged into the child's Rondebosch East home in Cape Town earlier this month on the pretext of delivering a parcel.
In the packed court, members and supporters of both families had to sit next to one another because of space constraints.
Testimonials handed in
Rodrigues, 24, dressed in a pink top, jeans and black high-heeled shoes, said she would plead not guilty to the State's charge of conspiracy to murder.
Testimonials were handed in from educational institutions attesting to Rodrigues' character and integrity.
Led by her defence advocate, John van der Berg, Rodrigues said she wanted a happy, stable home, "nothing extravagant".
"I would like to be married and have children of my own," she said, as members of the victim's family shook their heads.
Rodrigues said she would abide by any of the court's conditions if she was granted bail, and professed her confidence in being acquitted.
However, she refused to answer a series of questions by State attorney John Ryneveld.
Among these was her exact relationship with boyfriend Neil Wilson, the biological father of baby Norton, who had not told Rodrigues he had fathered a child with another woman.
"How did you react when you found out (about the baby)," asked Ryneveld.
"I am advised not to answer," said Rodrigues, invoking her constitutional right not to answer questions on the merits of the case lest it be used against her during trial.
Placards held aloft
"We shall be relying pre-eminently on the presumption of innocence," said Van der Berg, adding that the application was not to determine guilt, but rather to see that the interests of justice be served.
Outside, some family members and supporters averted their gaze and hastily made their way past Norton family supporters, who held aloft placards opposing bail.
Outside the court, family and friends held placards which read: "No bail" and "Little angel taken away, no bail to baby killer". Most placards had pictures of the baby.
- SAPA
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