Alleged wife killer Rob Packham plans to take the witness stand in his own defence next month.
This was revealed at the Cape High Court on Tuesday where the Constantia businessman is on trial for allegedly murdering his wife, Gill, 56.
Meanwhile, the court heard cellphone records show Packham, 58, was in the vicinity of Diep River Train Station where Gill’s body was found.
Gill was reported missing on 22 March 2018 after she failed to arrive at Springfield Convent School where she worked as a secretary.
Later that day her charred body was discovered in the boot of her burnt-out BMW at Diep River Train Station.
Cellphone expert and a police officer at Kirstenhof Police Station, Warrant Officer Reece Harvey, took the stand yesterday where he mapped the accused’s cellphone activity on the day.
Earlier in the trial, Packham’s former jolmeit, who cannot be named, had testified that he had two cellphones.
HORROR: Gill’s burning BMW at Diep River Train Station
The one was for his family and the second was “a burner phone” which he used to call his mistress.
Harvey explained the burner phone was switched on twice on the day that Gill went missing.
He then revealed that Packham’s main cellphone was picked up in various locations including in the vicinity of Diep River Train Station several hours before Gill was found.
Harvey explained from 11 am to 2 pm, Packham’s cellphone was picked up by various cellphone towers in Constantia, Seaforth, Wynberg and other suburbs.
He also highlighted earlier testimony by neighbourhood watch patroller, Paul Gray, who told the court last week that he saw Packham driving Gill’s BMW near Quintas Way, Constantia, at 2 pm.
According to the timeline, at 2.37pm Packham’s cellphone was picked up near the train station where he allegedly stood for about three minutes before leaving.
Defence advocate Craig Webster objected to the use of the timeline, arguing Harvey had made his own interpretations by taking the cellphone data and “suggesting” what Packham was doing at that time, as Harvey had written in his report: “looking for a dumping spot”.
During cross-examination, Webster questioned the technical nature of cellphone signals at the different towers and the possibility that they overlapped.
REVEALING: Alleged wife killer Rob Packham will take the witness stand Pictures : supplied
He also asked Harvey whether a cellphone could be picked up by a tower further away if the signal of the closest one was too weak.
Harvey insisted the cellphone signal will always be picked up by the nearest tower.
The State closed their case and Webster told the court the defence will start presenting their case today with the testimony of two police officers.
The court goes into recess on Friday, and he said Packham will take the stand next month when court re-opens.