Cop sent to jail for 18 years for murder
A constable in the Namibian Police who shot and killed a man in the streets of Katutura’s Shandumbala was today sent to jail for 18 years.
Windhoek Regional Court Magistrate Ileni Velikoshi, last Tuesday, found 29-year-old Linus Nzwana guilty of murder with direct intention to kill.
Nzwana shot Joel Martin, 22, on 10 August 2013.
He was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on the count of murder with intention to kill, of which two years were suspended for a period of five years on condition that he is not found guilty of murder or any other offence related to murder.
In sentencing, Velikoshi said Martin was not a threat to Nzwana before he was shot.
“I am satisfied to say that there was no attack on the convicted police officer and I am throwing out the version of his self-defence,” said the regional magistrate.
Nzwana maintains he acted in self-defence.
Evidence presented during trial has it that Martin and three friends were walking in the street when a speeding white pick-up approached them.
Martin then said something derogatory to Nzwana as they were moving out of the way. Nzwana brought the vehicle to a halt and reversed up to where Martin and his friends were standing.
The constable got out of the car and approached Martin to enquire what the problem was. After an exchange of words, Nzwana walked back to the pick-up, took out his personal 9mm pistol and fired a shot directly at Martin’s chest. The constable did not fire warning shots.
He fled the scene after the shooting but handed himself over at the Katutura Police Station later the same day.
Local defence lawyer Braam Cupido defended Nzwana on the instructions of the Justice Ministry’s Directorate of Legal Aid.
Public Prosecutor Georgitte Losper appeared for the State.
NAMPA
Windhoek Regional Court Magistrate Ileni Velikoshi, last Tuesday, found 29-year-old Linus Nzwana guilty of murder with direct intention to kill.
Nzwana shot Joel Martin, 22, on 10 August 2013.
He was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on the count of murder with intention to kill, of which two years were suspended for a period of five years on condition that he is not found guilty of murder or any other offence related to murder.
In sentencing, Velikoshi said Martin was not a threat to Nzwana before he was shot.
“I am satisfied to say that there was no attack on the convicted police officer and I am throwing out the version of his self-defence,” said the regional magistrate.
Nzwana maintains he acted in self-defence.
Evidence presented during trial has it that Martin and three friends were walking in the street when a speeding white pick-up approached them.
Martin then said something derogatory to Nzwana as they were moving out of the way. Nzwana brought the vehicle to a halt and reversed up to where Martin and his friends were standing.
The constable got out of the car and approached Martin to enquire what the problem was. After an exchange of words, Nzwana walked back to the pick-up, took out his personal 9mm pistol and fired a shot directly at Martin’s chest. The constable did not fire warning shots.
He fled the scene after the shooting but handed himself over at the Katutura Police Station later the same day.
Local defence lawyer Braam Cupido defended Nzwana on the instructions of the Justice Ministry’s Directorate of Legal Aid.
Public Prosecutor Georgitte Losper appeared for the State.
NAMPA
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