Lichtenstrasser overdose delays trial
'Looked as if he would die'
Hamunyela speculated that Lichtenstrasser's overdose could be an attempt to take his own life, but could not provide any more information on the matter.
Ernst Lichtenstrasser's trial could not continue yesterday because he was admitted to intensive care after a purported overdose on opiate medication.
Lichtenstrasser was convicted for the murders of Namibian Institute for Mining and Technology (NIMT) director Eckhart Mueller, and his deputy, Heimo Hellwig.
State prosecutor Antonia Verhoef said no details about his prognosis and possible future treatment are currently known.
Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela said Lichtenstrasser was "fine one night and was very ill the next morning".
"It looked as if he would die. The nurses on duty rushed him to the hospital, without even waiting for the police, in an attempt to save his life. The last I saw of him, he was in a very bad condition," he said.
Hamunyela speculated that Lichtenstrasser made an attempt to take his own life, but could not provide any more information on the matter.
Physical, mental health
Several references were made during Lichtenstrasser's trial to his physical and mental health. Among other things, psychologist Ute Sinkala testified about his state of mind regarding his guilty plea. Sinkala's report took into account Lichtenstrasser's medical history, family history and past trauma to gain insight into his emotional well-being.
In her testimony, Sinkala referred to Lichtenstrasser's alleged post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is believed to stem from wartime, as well as depression. She also argued that a shoulder injury and problems with his hearing could have contributed to possible feelings of vulnerability.
However, in his ruling, Judge Christie Liebenberg cast doubt on Sinkala's account, saying that it simply made broad references to events in Lichtenstrasser's life and did not take into account his state of mind on the day of his guilty plea.
Lichtenstrasser was expected to call his sister and his psychologist as witnesses today, and told Liebenberg that he would not to call these witnesses at all if they did not show up to court today. Whether the witnesses were actually present is unclear.
The hearing was postponed until next Monday in order to assess Lichtenstrasser's condition and make a decision about the future of the trial.
- [email protected]
Lichtenstrasser was convicted for the murders of Namibian Institute for Mining and Technology (NIMT) director Eckhart Mueller, and his deputy, Heimo Hellwig.
State prosecutor Antonia Verhoef said no details about his prognosis and possible future treatment are currently known.
Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela said Lichtenstrasser was "fine one night and was very ill the next morning".
"It looked as if he would die. The nurses on duty rushed him to the hospital, without even waiting for the police, in an attempt to save his life. The last I saw of him, he was in a very bad condition," he said.
Hamunyela speculated that Lichtenstrasser made an attempt to take his own life, but could not provide any more information on the matter.
Physical, mental health
Several references were made during Lichtenstrasser's trial to his physical and mental health. Among other things, psychologist Ute Sinkala testified about his state of mind regarding his guilty plea. Sinkala's report took into account Lichtenstrasser's medical history, family history and past trauma to gain insight into his emotional well-being.
In her testimony, Sinkala referred to Lichtenstrasser's alleged post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is believed to stem from wartime, as well as depression. She also argued that a shoulder injury and problems with his hearing could have contributed to possible feelings of vulnerability.
However, in his ruling, Judge Christie Liebenberg cast doubt on Sinkala's account, saying that it simply made broad references to events in Lichtenstrasser's life and did not take into account his state of mind on the day of his guilty plea.
Lichtenstrasser was expected to call his sister and his psychologist as witnesses today, and told Liebenberg that he would not to call these witnesses at all if they did not show up to court today. Whether the witnesses were actually present is unclear.
The hearing was postponed until next Monday in order to assess Lichtenstrasser's condition and make a decision about the future of the trial.
- [email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article