2014-12-09Staff Report 2 WINDHOEK - Lawyer Monty Karuaihe was appointed as the new lawyer for American murder accused Marcus Thomas on instructions of the legal aid department. This came after his previous lawyer Werner van Rensburg withdrew after his client decided to plead guilty to all charges. At the time Van Rensburg questioned the mental capacity of Thomas to appreciate the seriousness of the offence and the consequences of a guilty plea. He told the judge while he perceived Thomas to have a “brilliant brain”, he could not in all conscience stand by and watch him “commit suicide”. Van Rensburg ascribed the abrupt change of mind of Thomas to a possible head injury he sustained when he allegedly hit his head on a concrete floor after a botched escape attempt. Judge Christi Liebenberg ordered Thomas to undergo a period of mental observation to determine whether he is fit to stand trial, upon the request of Van Rensburg. While initially objecting to the period of mental observation, Deputy Prosecutor General Antonia Verhoef, calling it a “ruse and smokescreen” later conceded and withdrew her objection. She informed the court she would endeavour to use her influence to see to it that the logistics run smoothly. When Thomas returned to court yesterday (Monday) the judge was informed that he had not been seen by a psychiatrist yet, but he would be admitted as soon as a place was available at the psychiatric unit. Judge Liebenberg was further told that the mental institution has a long waiting list and Thomas would probably only be examined in the new year. The case was then postponed to January 05 next year for another status hearing. Thomas and his fellow American, Kevan Townsend, are accused of the assassination style murder of Cattle Baron heir, Andre Heckmair, by shooting him in the back of his head on January 07, 2011 in Gusinde Street in Windhoek and robbing him of his cellphone and wallet containing about 100 Swiss Franc. They also allegedly imported two 9mm pistol barrels without a permit and allegedly possessed a 7.65mm pistol and ammunition without a licence. It is further alleged that the accused removed a notebook from police custody after the police seized it as an exhibit and/or burned, destroyed or otherwise disposed of some of the pages in the book. Townsend will be defended by Boris Isaacs. The matter has been set down provisionally for hearing from July 20 to 31 next year and again from August 03 to 07 for continuation of trial. By Roland Routh 2014-12-09Staff Report 2
