Analyses of samples drawn from rock star Arno Carstens’s blood were “inaccurate”, says the singers defence attorney.
|||Cape Town - Analyses of samples drawn from rock star Arno Carstens’s blood were “inaccurate” and “of an unprofessional nature”, says the attorney defending Carstens in the drunk-driving case against him.
This emerged as standardised tests to determine Carstens’s blood alcohol level took centre stage in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The former Springbok Nude Girls front man was arrested in December 2010.
Carstens has pleaded not guilty to a charge of drunken-driving, and driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.20 percent while the legal limit is 0.05.
In the witness box on Wednesday, forensic analyst Pakama Pati was cross-examined by defence attorney Milton de la Harpe.
Advised by his own expert, proceedings became very technical as De la Harpe delved into the reliability of tests done by Pati on Carstens’s blood sample after he was arrested.
De la Harpe told Pati the defence would argue that the work she had done was “of an unprofessional nature” and should be declared null and void.
Prosecutor Anne Hess has asked for time to consult experts regarding Pati’s evidence before re-examination, and to consult new expert witnesses the State plans to call.The case is set to continue on July 24.
natasha.prince@inl.co.za
Cape Argus