Appollis was questioned about whether or not surviving family member Marli van Breda had made a statement.
Appollis, the investigating officer, was expected to face heavy scrutiny while in the witness box, but he was only on the stand for 45 minutes
yesterday.
Appollis stated that when he arrived at the scene, his first priority was Marli.
“According to my knowledge, Marli never gave a statement nor does she have any recollection of that night,” he replied to State prosecutor Susan Galloway.
According to murder-accused Henri van Breda, a Colonel Deon Beneke told him that he had taken a statement from Marli.
But Appollis told Henri’s defence lawyer, Pieter Botha, that as far as he knew, Marli had not said anything.
Galloway also asked whether Marli was investigated, but the cop said that there had been no investigation of Marli while he had been involved in the case.
Regarding the testimony of Marli’s ex-boyfriend James Reede-Jahn, who said he saw a black axe head at the De Zalze home leading up to the murders, Appollis said he only knew of a green axe head found on the crime scene. He said, other than colour, the black axe matched the one on the scene.
Judge Desai then adjourned until Monday when the last of the state witnesses blood spatter expert Captain Marius Joubert is due to give evidence.
Henri stands accused of the murder of his brother Rudi, his father Martin, and his mother Teresa and the attempted murder of his sister Marli.