Confessed after finding God
“When a person grows gradually into the Christian faith, that person gets to know the requirements of being faithful,” a murder accused told the High Court in Windhoek.
The 33-year-old Erwin Kasorere Tjiueza Katjingisua, who for the past five years has denied guilt in the robbery and murder of 78-year-old Gideon Johannes (Koos) Stoop, yesterday explained his recent turnabout and confession under cross-examination.
He earlier made the confession before Judge Alfred Siboleka claiming that he was a “reborn” Christian and needed to tell the truth.
“I accept the Word of God. I now want to tell the truth,” he stated under cross-examination.
He agreed that the version he told the police after his arrest and the version he was telling the court after his rebirth as a Christian are completely contradictory.
“The first version to police was based on pure lies. I am now speaking the truth,” he stated.
He stands accused together with his elder brother George Tjikuao Katjingisua, 34, and Nelsiene Utiapatie Kauaria, 32, to have killed Stoop sometime between August 28 and 29 in 2009.
They are facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances, and conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Erwin yesterday under cross-examination from Braam Cupido, appearing on behalf his brother George, stated that when Stoop was about to enter his flat he grabbed him on the neck and pressed a knife against his neck, threatening him to tell them the whereabouts of a bag full of money. He said when Stoop maintained that he had only N$50, he said he began to torture him by stabbing him, and to stop him from screaming he put his hand over Stoop's mouth until he stopped breathing.
“I was standing in front of the deceased, holding the knife against his neck then I saw blood flowing from under his left armpit,” Erwin said.
He stated that according to the agreement between the three of them, Kauaria was supposed to be close to the deceased so that both of them could be tied up, but when he entered the flat she had left, returning in the company of George.
Erwin stated that later, after Stoop became quiet, he and George carried him from the bedroom into the bathroom.
“George did not contribute to any injuries on the deceased. I was the one who stabbed him. I was the one who covered his mouth to prevent him from screaming for help,” he said. He had earlier maintained that he did not intend to kill Stoop.
The trial continues.
Advocate Antonia Verhoef appears for State while Louis Karsten appears for Kauaria, Braam Cupido appears for George Tjikuao Katjingisua and Monty Karuaihe represents Erwin Kasorere Tjiueza Katjingisiua.
FRED GOEIEMAN
The 33-year-old Erwin Kasorere Tjiueza Katjingisua, who for the past five years has denied guilt in the robbery and murder of 78-year-old Gideon Johannes (Koos) Stoop, yesterday explained his recent turnabout and confession under cross-examination.
He earlier made the confession before Judge Alfred Siboleka claiming that he was a “reborn” Christian and needed to tell the truth.
“I accept the Word of God. I now want to tell the truth,” he stated under cross-examination.
He agreed that the version he told the police after his arrest and the version he was telling the court after his rebirth as a Christian are completely contradictory.
“The first version to police was based on pure lies. I am now speaking the truth,” he stated.
He stands accused together with his elder brother George Tjikuao Katjingisua, 34, and Nelsiene Utiapatie Kauaria, 32, to have killed Stoop sometime between August 28 and 29 in 2009.
They are facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances, and conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Erwin yesterday under cross-examination from Braam Cupido, appearing on behalf his brother George, stated that when Stoop was about to enter his flat he grabbed him on the neck and pressed a knife against his neck, threatening him to tell them the whereabouts of a bag full of money. He said when Stoop maintained that he had only N$50, he said he began to torture him by stabbing him, and to stop him from screaming he put his hand over Stoop's mouth until he stopped breathing.
“I was standing in front of the deceased, holding the knife against his neck then I saw blood flowing from under his left armpit,” Erwin said.
He stated that according to the agreement between the three of them, Kauaria was supposed to be close to the deceased so that both of them could be tied up, but when he entered the flat she had left, returning in the company of George.
Erwin stated that later, after Stoop became quiet, he and George carried him from the bedroom into the bathroom.
“George did not contribute to any injuries on the deceased. I was the one who stabbed him. I was the one who covered his mouth to prevent him from screaming for help,” he said. He had earlier maintained that he did not intend to kill Stoop.
The trial continues.
Advocate Antonia Verhoef appears for State while Louis Karsten appears for Kauaria, Braam Cupido appears for George Tjikuao Katjingisua and Monty Karuaihe represents Erwin Kasorere Tjiueza Katjingisiua.
FRED GOEIEMAN
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