Patrick Geingob, a former teacher accused of fatally stabbing his wife 12 times, yesterday pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice, one count of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and one count of common assault.
His Legal Aid instructed lawyer, Jermaine Muchali, informed Windhoek High Court Judge Herman January that his client is pleading not guilty on the first two charges due to a diagnosis that he suffered from a major depression syndrome during the incident.
With regards to the assault charges, Muchali said his client pleads not guilty due to the vagueness of the dates of the alleged incidents, and declined to provide a plea explanation, opting instead to remain silent.
The 39-year-old Geingob, through his lawyer, requested to have the Directorate of Legal Aid pay for a private mental assessment.
The former educator is disputing the State’s mental report, which declared him fit to stand trial – and wants a private psychiatrist to assess his mental stability.
The private psychiatrist found that Geingob suffered from a mental defect when he butchered his wife.
Geingob is currently awaiting trial on a count of murder, read with the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act, and one count of defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
The State is alleging Geingob slapped his wife, Merentha Geingos, in 2011 with an open hand with the intent to cause her serious bodily harm. He is also accused of slapping one Ragel Boois in the face.
It is further alleged that he killed his wife in the kitchen of their marital home in Okuryangava by stabbing her with a knife 12 times in front of their children.
Geingos died on 14 April 2019 after she was transported to the Katutura state hospital but succumbed to injuries upon her arrival.
During Geingob’s failed bail hearing, the court was informed that he arrived home late that night and had an argument with Geingos, which resulted in him stabbing her.
Court documents state that Geingos and their children were asleep on the night in question when Geingob arrived and loudly demanded entrance into the residence.
Geingos opened the door, voiced her displeasure at his behaviour, and went to the bedroom. Geingob then allegedly went to the kitchen and armed himself with a knife, and attacked her.
People residing on the same erf managed to remove the knife from him, whereafter he went to a friend’s place, where it is alleged he disposed of the clothes he was wearing during the fatal stabbing.
Thereafter, Geingob handed himself over to the police and has been in custody since.
The matter continues today, with the State represented by Seredine Jacobs.