WATCH: Amber Lee Hughes’ father asked to leave courtroom during sentencing proceedings
The interruption followed a complaint from Elie Challita about alleged facial gestures while he was giving evidence at the Johannesburg High Court.
The sentencing hearing against Amber Lee Hughes continued at the Johannesburg High Court on Wednesday, September 16, with her defence attorney, Marius Bouwer, continuing to cross-examine State witness Elie Challita, the father of slain four-year-old Nada Jane Challita.
Proceedings were briefly interrupted when Challita raised a concern about the conduct of Howard Hughes, who was seated in the courtroom.
Challita complained that Howard was making facial gestures while he was giving evidence and described the conduct as not professional in the High Court.
Judge Richard Mkhabela asked the defence team to approach Howard and address the issue before proceedings continued.
Howard later returned to the courtroom as Challita’s evidence continued.
Challita questioned about relationship with Hughes
Bouwer continued questioning Challita about his relationship with Hughes and their interactions during the period leading up to Nada Jane’s death.
Challita told the court that there were serious problems between him and Hughes on the day of the drowning.
He said their communication that day took place over the telephone, including several phone calls, and that Hughes was emotional.
When asked how Hughes treated Nada Jane, Challita said she treated the child well at the beginning of their relationship.
However, he said he began noticing what he described as jealousy from Hughes more frequently around December 2022 and January 2023.
Ice cream dispute read in court
The defence also returned to an earlier dispute between Challita and Hughes involving an ice cream.
A message from Hughes was read into the record in which she complained about feeling that she did not matter in Challita’s life.
In the message, Hughes referred to Challita spending time away from her, not saying goodnight or kissing her, telling Nada Jane that he loved her and not taking photographs with her.
She also complained about his interactions with Amy and said she remained upset about what she had found on his phone.
Challita explained that not all of the discussion took place over WhatsApp and that parts of the conversation happened face to face.
A subsequent message from Challita to Hughes read in court stated: “Morning love. You got upset and went to bed without saying good night, not me.”
He also asked her to take things less seriously, saying the disagreement had been about an ice cream.
Challita said the dispute was an indication of what he had previously described as Hughes’ growing jealousy.
Challita to continue evidence
The court also discussed Challita’s availability to continue giving evidence.
The State indicated that Challita regularly attends court and would remain available following the evidence of an expert witness.
The court was told that Challita would continue with his evidence after the next witness had testified.
The court adjourned until Thursday, September 17. Bouwer had not completed his cross-examination of Challita.
The State is expected to call a new witness on Thursday, after which Challita’s evidence will continue, with his cross-examination expected to run until Friday, September 18.
The sentencing hearing continues.
