WINDHOEK – Forensic samples drawn from a 61-year-old farmer from Aranos who is accused of killing his 55-year-old wife with a single gunshot to the head could very well prove to be his saving grace.
Forensic scientist Dr Paul Ludik testified yesterday that swabs taken from the right hand of Willem Barnard did not contain any trace of primer residue.
Primer residue is the gunpowder residue left on a shooter after the firearm is discharged.
Ludik however said he found minute traces of gunshot residue on Barnard’s left hand.
Barnard is right-handed.
Ludik further testified he found significant traces of the residue on both hands of the deceased, Anette Barnard.
Anette was shot through the left temple.
Information provided to New Era suggests Barnard dislocated his shoulder at the time of the shooting and could barely lift his left hand, while the deceased did almost everything with her left hand.
Barnard insists he passed out in the living room of his house at Farm Choris in the Aranos area after imbibing some brandy after taking prescribed medicine.
In a plea explanation he said when he woke he saw his wife lying with her head on the coffee table in a pool of blood.
He claims that he remembers nothing about that evening after he passed out.
The State alleges Barnard shot the deceased after an argument erupted between them over Eugene Terblanche, the late leader of South Africa’s AWB.
According to Barnard he denies he shot the deceased as alleged by the State and put the State to the proof thereof.
Barnard also said that evidence will be adduced that, due to the timing, amount of and the contribution of psychoactive substances he took during the day of the incident together with the alcohol he consumed, he at the time of the alleged incident was unable to appreciate the moral and legal wrongfulness of his actions.
In this regard he claims temporary insanity if the State should prove he indeed shot the deceased, Barnard stated.
Barnard is represented by Advocate Louis Botes on instructions from SC Garbers, while Advocate Palmer Khumalo assisted by Cliff Luthibezi is prosecuting.
Judge Naomi Shivute is on the bench.
The case continues and Barnard is out on bail.