Murder accused ‘kept like animals’

A legal battle is looming over Namibian prison authorities keeping two American murder accused in solitary confinement, after one of them tried to escape last year. Marcus Kevin Thomas, whose failed jailbreak attempt from the Windhoek Central Prison made national headlines late last year, is in the dock with Kevin Townsend. They are accused of killing André Heckmair on January 7, 2011. The victim was allegedly lured to a cul-de-sac in Klein Windhoek, where he was shot in the head. Defence lawyer Boris Isaack told the High Court yesterday he intends filing an urgent application on behalf of both accused, so they can be taken out of solitary confinement, where they are kept under guard for 23 hours a day. “Basically it will be a multi-million dollar lawsuit for inhumane treatment,” he said. He said both accused were being “kept like animals in a cage”. Isaack also complained about the fact that Thomas had not yet seen a psychiatrist, after the court referred him for mental evaluation late last year, following his escape attempt. It has now come to light that Thomas will only be able to see a psychiatrist in October, because of a lengthy waiting list. The State, however, has given the assurance that the evaluation date wil be moved forward. Thomas and Townsend are facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, defeating or obstructing the course of justice, as well firearm and ammunition charges. Last year Werner van Rensburg withdrew as Thomas’s lawyer, after the accused changed his plea from not guilty to guilty. Yesterday, Monty Karuaihe appeared on behalf of Thomas. The trial is expected to continue between July 20 and August 7 in front of Judge Christie Liebenberg. Antonia Verhoef appears for State. WINDHOEK FRED GOEIEMAN