Interested Bystander
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2013
- Messages
- 3,638
- Reaction score
- 345
Thanks JJ. Didn't realise they were not concurrent. Eleven years is even better.
GUILTY South Africa - Gill Packham, 57, murdered, Cape Town, 22 February, 2018 *arrest*
- Thread starter JudgeJudi
- Start date
New Posts
-
-
CA CA - San Diego, WhtHispFem 30-45, UP120501, Scoliosis, burned bones found near school, Aug'88
- Latest: ProudSuggestion3528
Thanks JJ. Didn't realise they were not concurrent. Eleven years is even better.
JudgeJudi
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2014
- Messages
- 10,462
- Reaction score
- 29,807
This isn't even close to what this despicable creature deserves.
Interested Bystander
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2013
- Messages
- 3,638
- Reaction score
- 345
I agree, getting parole half way through can make a nonsense of some of the terms. Thinking back to OP, he will be out before we know it (7 July 2023) and that sentence too seemed not to fit the crime but it is what I have come to expect from SA trials.
Tortoise
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2015
- Messages
- 26,232
- Reaction score
- 131,937
He was sentenced to 20 years on count one (murder) and 4 years on count two (attempt to defeat the course of justice), 2 of the 4 years to run concurrently.
tweet:
Jenna Etheridge (@JennaEtheridge) | Twitter
#Packham Steyn said 20 years is appropriate for Gill's murder. She hands down a 4-year term for defeating the ends of justice, of which 2 years are suspended. Rob thus gets 22 years. Jason Rohde, who faced same charges, got 20 years. @TeamNews24
JudgeJudi
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2014
- Messages
- 10,462
- Reaction score
- 29,807
Thanks for that. I'm not sure where the 18 came from.
Ideal then. She would probably welcome easy access visiting. Are Rohde and Henri VB there? I wonder if they place such effluent (purposeful spelling) prisoners in with less privileged ones. I saw a documentary on this place a while ago and it was truly ghastly. There were many bunks in a huge space and dozens of people milling around. I’m thinking it must have been an old film and wouldn’t be so bad there nowadays??
JudgeJudi
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2014
- Messages
- 10,462
- Reaction score
- 29,807
RP harassed his ex-mistress with repeated unwanted phone calls while he was standing trial including one on her 44th birthday on April 30. She didn’t answer the call from a Pollsmoor Prison landline but she received a voice message from him wishing her happy birthday and telling her that he missed her.
His obsession with her has been central to his demise. He murdered Gill following an argument about his feelings for her. And when she dumped him after he became a wife killer suspect, he ignored her lawyers letters and court warnings, relentlessly stalking her until a judge removed his bail. In the process, he knowingly risked and lost the opportunity to walk his daughter down the aisle.
Yet despite all this and the humiliation of her testifying against him, he made a risky birthday call at a sensitive stage of his trial: a week after closing arguments and less than three weeks before Judge Steyn was due to deliver her verdict.
Witness X reported the matter to her lawyer and Susan Galloway, indicating that the calls were unwanted and distressed her. She also hoped that a successful conviction would put an end to the calls which she continued to receive on almost a daily basis. On some days he called three times a day from the same number he used to wish her a happy birthday and then increasingly were made from a blocked number. Although he never said anything during the calls and she could only hear breathing on the other side, past experience convinced her that he was the caller. His latest episode of harassment was corroborated by several sources and by advocate Galloway.
Galloway’s comments re the phone calls are in the article.
Correctional Services were unaware of his behaviour with a senior source saying that the department had not received any official complaint from Witness X.
He said the harassment would be investigated and factored into upcoming psychologist and social worker assessments that will determine which maximum security facility he will be sent to. It could also affect Packham’s rights and privileges as he begins his rehabilitation.
Wife killer Packham harassed mistress throughout murder trial, lawyer says | Weekend Argus
His obsession with her has been central to his demise. He murdered Gill following an argument about his feelings for her. And when she dumped him after he became a wife killer suspect, he ignored her lawyers letters and court warnings, relentlessly stalking her until a judge removed his bail. In the process, he knowingly risked and lost the opportunity to walk his daughter down the aisle.
Yet despite all this and the humiliation of her testifying against him, he made a risky birthday call at a sensitive stage of his trial: a week after closing arguments and less than three weeks before Judge Steyn was due to deliver her verdict.
Witness X reported the matter to her lawyer and Susan Galloway, indicating that the calls were unwanted and distressed her. She also hoped that a successful conviction would put an end to the calls which she continued to receive on almost a daily basis. On some days he called three times a day from the same number he used to wish her a happy birthday and then increasingly were made from a blocked number. Although he never said anything during the calls and she could only hear breathing on the other side, past experience convinced her that he was the caller. His latest episode of harassment was corroborated by several sources and by advocate Galloway.
Galloway’s comments re the phone calls are in the article.
Correctional Services were unaware of his behaviour with a senior source saying that the department had not received any official complaint from Witness X.
He said the harassment would be investigated and factored into upcoming psychologist and social worker assessments that will determine which maximum security facility he will be sent to. It could also affect Packham’s rights and privileges as he begins his rehabilitation.
Wife killer Packham harassed mistress throughout murder trial, lawyer says | Weekend Argus
JudgeJudi
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2014
- Messages
- 10,462
- Reaction score
- 29,807
Judge Steyn reserved judgment in Rob Packham's application for leave to appeal his conviction on Wednesday. Judge Steyn said that she didn't want to rush her decision and would deliver it next week.
Packham's legal team are arguing that there were errors with the identification parade and that cellphone data had been presented in the case that substantiated both the State and the defence's case regarding Packham's whereabouts.
The State, however, is of the belief that Packham's bid for leave to appeal should be dismissed and did not have a prospect of success in another court.
Judgment reserved in Packham's bid for leave to appeal murder conviction | Cape Times
Packham's legal team are arguing that there were errors with the identification parade and that cellphone data had been presented in the case that substantiated both the State and the defence's case regarding Packham's whereabouts.
The State, however, is of the belief that Packham's bid for leave to appeal should be dismissed and did not have a prospect of success in another court.
Judgment reserved in Packham's bid for leave to appeal murder conviction | Cape Times
JudgeJudi
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2014
- Messages
- 10,462
- Reaction score
- 29,807
Judge Steyn listened carefully as RP’s advocate, Craig Webster, argued why she had, respectfully, erred in finding Packham guilty of killing his wife Gill. He said the identification of Packham at various points was "deficient".
Paul Gray, a pensioner and volunteer patroller, said he couldn't get a good look while Keanan Thomas stated in his statement that the person he saw in Diep River was a coloured man in his thirties, Webster said.
Webster argued that:
- there was no compelling reason to not do a live line-up;
- the parade was not done at the earliest opportunity;
- it was done after Packham's arrest, not before;
- there was prior and significant media coverage; and
- witnesses had driven together and spoken about the matter.
As for Gray identifying Packham in the dock when testifying, Webster said this carried very little weight.
Steyn said the cellphone data and evidence of Lance Govender showed that RP was not where he said he was on the evening of Gill's disappearance. She said he pretended he went straight home after having dinner at his sister's, but his phone was off for an hour, which was strange for someone desperately hoping for news about their missing wife.
Webster maintained the cellphone evidence was neutral. Steyn maintained "His actions were just bizarre for somebody who just lost a wife".
Webster asked if the identification evidence was not reliable and should be disregarded, and if one put the cellphone evidence in a neutral framework, was the circumstantial evidence enough. "There might be a finger of suspicion that is pointed, but it wouldn't constitute a case beyond reasonable doubt."
One aspect that puzzled Steyn was where and when RP's alibi of searching for cars on the morning of Gill's disappearance had emerged. She said a defence witness would have testified about this if they knew about it.
Susan Galloway said the investigating officer had testified about it, but couldn't remember who told him. "It wasn't given to him as an alibi... His (Packham's) initial defence was that 'I was at work'. When that didn't hold water, he changed it to 'I was looking for a new vehicle for my wife'." Galloway maintained that there was no corroboration for his version of where he was at that time. "The only reasonable inference is that the accused is guilty of these crimes."
Steyn said, "I don't want to rush off a judgment".
She hopes to hand down her judgment next week.
Was the evidence enough? - Packham's defence asks as judgment reserved in appeal bid
Paul Gray, a pensioner and volunteer patroller, said he couldn't get a good look while Keanan Thomas stated in his statement that the person he saw in Diep River was a coloured man in his thirties, Webster said.
Webster argued that:
- there was no compelling reason to not do a live line-up;
- the parade was not done at the earliest opportunity;
- it was done after Packham's arrest, not before;
- there was prior and significant media coverage; and
- witnesses had driven together and spoken about the matter.
As for Gray identifying Packham in the dock when testifying, Webster said this carried very little weight.
Steyn said the cellphone data and evidence of Lance Govender showed that RP was not where he said he was on the evening of Gill's disappearance. She said he pretended he went straight home after having dinner at his sister's, but his phone was off for an hour, which was strange for someone desperately hoping for news about their missing wife.
Webster maintained the cellphone evidence was neutral. Steyn maintained "His actions were just bizarre for somebody who just lost a wife".
Webster asked if the identification evidence was not reliable and should be disregarded, and if one put the cellphone evidence in a neutral framework, was the circumstantial evidence enough. "There might be a finger of suspicion that is pointed, but it wouldn't constitute a case beyond reasonable doubt."
One aspect that puzzled Steyn was where and when RP's alibi of searching for cars on the morning of Gill's disappearance had emerged. She said a defence witness would have testified about this if they knew about it.
Susan Galloway said the investigating officer had testified about it, but couldn't remember who told him. "It wasn't given to him as an alibi... His (Packham's) initial defence was that 'I was at work'. When that didn't hold water, he changed it to 'I was looking for a new vehicle for my wife'." Galloway maintained that there was no corroboration for his version of where he was at that time. "The only reasonable inference is that the accused is guilty of these crimes."
Steyn said, "I don't want to rush off a judgment".
She hopes to hand down her judgment next week.
Was the evidence enough? - Packham's defence asks as judgment reserved in appeal bid
Interested Bystander
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2013
- Messages
- 3,638
- Reaction score
- 345
Wife murderer Rob Packham denied leave to appeal
Wife murderer Rob Packham denied leave to appeal
Delivering sentence, Steyn said: "The accused methodically, brazenly and clinically went about in an attempt to obliterate any proof of his cowardly deed. The actions of the accused prevented his family, including his daughters, from getting closure."
In an 11-page-long judgment on Friday, Steyn said there were no prospects of success in Packham's proposed appeal.
Wife murderer Rob Packham denied leave to appeal
Delivering sentence, Steyn said: "The accused methodically, brazenly and clinically went about in an attempt to obliterate any proof of his cowardly deed. The actions of the accused prevented his family, including his daughters, from getting closure."
In an 11-page-long judgment on Friday, Steyn said there were no prospects of success in Packham's proposed appeal.
JudgeJudi
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2014
- Messages
- 10,462
- Reaction score
- 29,807
Cape Town wife murderer Rob Packham has approached the Supreme Court of Appeal to overturn his 22-year sentence.
On Wednesday, (31 July) Aa Western Cape NPA spokesperson confirmed that it had received Packham's court papers.
"The state has received the papers of Rob Packham indicating his application for leave to appeal his conviction," said Ntabazalila, adding that the state would oppose the application.
The NPA has 30 days to file its opposing papers.
Wife killer Rob Packham heads to SCA to appeal 22-year sentence
On Wednesday, (31 July) Aa Western Cape NPA spokesperson confirmed that it had received Packham's court papers.
"The state has received the papers of Rob Packham indicating his application for leave to appeal his conviction," said Ntabazalila, adding that the state would oppose the application.
The NPA has 30 days to file its opposing papers.
Wife killer Rob Packham heads to SCA to appeal 22-year sentence
ApplesInMyBra
Nobody
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2014
- Messages
- 266
- Reaction score
- 92
Evidence 'palpably unreliable', Packham charges in Supreme Court appeal application
Evidence 'palpably unreliable', Packham charges in Supreme Court appeal application
Evidence 'palpably unreliable', Packham charges in Supreme Court appeal application
JudgeJudi
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2014
- Messages
- 10,462
- Reaction score
- 29,807
He then approached the Constitutional Court, applying for condonation and leave to appeal his conviction. The condonation related to both parties filling their hard-copy papers late due to level 5 regulations put in place for the coronavirus pandemic.
On 5 August the Constitutional Court dismissed Rob Packham's application for leave to appeal his 22-year jail sentence for his wife's murder
The NPA welcomed the court’s decision.
Prosecutor Susan Galloway said, “I am of the view that the Constitutional Court touched all aspects of the application. There can now be no doubt that he was correctly convicted. I am of course very happy that justice was done”.
ConCourt dismisses Rob Packham's application to appeal 22-year jail term
On 5 August the Constitutional Court dismissed Rob Packham's application for leave to appeal his 22-year jail sentence for his wife's murder
The NPA welcomed the court’s decision.
Prosecutor Susan Galloway said, “I am of the view that the Constitutional Court touched all aspects of the application. There can now be no doubt that he was correctly convicted. I am of course very happy that justice was done”.
ConCourt dismisses Rob Packham's application to appeal 22-year jail term