A 21-year-old resident of Lüderitz pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act, yesterday.
He appeared before Windhoek High Court Judge Claudia Claasen.
It is alleged by the State that Brenton Hendricks stabbed his elder brother, Joslin Sagaria Hendricks, at least seven times on 25 September 2022 at Spokiesdorp location in Lüderitz.
He did not provide a plea explanation, and his Legal Aid lawyer Joseph Andreas told the judge that they will make use of their right to remain silent and place the onus of proof on the State. Advocate Anna Amukugo accepted the plea,and entered several documents into evidence before calling her first witness, Detective Warrant Officer Susanna Kamulu-Uutoni, who was the scene-of-crime officer. The officer testified about photos she took and the murder weapon, a wicked-looking kitchen knife, about 12cm long. The officer testified that she was on duty, and was called to a scene where a murder took place. When she arrived, she found the accused and his father there, and was shown where the incident took place, took photographs, and compiled a photo plan, which she then explained to the court.
According to the indictment, the deceased was in conversation with his father when the accused approached him, and they started to wrestle.
The accused then stabbed the deceased at least seven times in his back and head with the knife, it is alleged.
Later, the accused and the father allegedly took the deceased to the Lüderitz State Hospital, where he was declared dead due to the injuries and blood loss he sustained during the attack. The matter continues today, and the accused is free on bail.