Shaningua claims self-defence
The man accused of shooting a Finnish national in an apparent road-rage incident last year claims that he shot at a car with a revving engine that appeared threatening.
The man accused of the murder of a Finnish national in Windhoek last year maintains that after a revving car raced towards him he shot at its wheels and the bullets struck the driver, killing him.
Marco Kristian Uolevi Rönni (42) was shot nine times in an apparent road-rage incident after a minor accident outside a bar near the Windhoek showgrounds.
The accused, Rodney Danne Shaningua (45), yesterday testified that he had heard a bang when something struck his stationary car.
He further said during cross-examination by defence lawyer Slysken Makando that when he disembarked from the car he saw another car with a revving engine driving towards him. He said he pulled out his gun and fired until the magazine was empty, intending to puncture the wheels to fend off the danger.
He said he returned to his car and saw a Land Rover Discovery passing by his car, followed by a taxi.
Rönni died shortly thereafter. The incident took place during the night of 8 to 9 August outside Joker's Bar in Bell Street in Windhoek.
Shaningua told the court that he had visited the bar at the invitation of his brother Chris and his friends.
Shaningua testified about the condition of State witness Fenola Felix (23), who was with him in his car at the time of the shooting. He said she was drunk and probably drugged. The defence had earlier indicated that they would call a witness to testify to that effect.
Shaningua said Felix had been drinking whiskey at the carwash next to Damara Location in Katutura, where he had found her with his brother and other friends.
On Wednesday, state pathologist Dr Yuri Vasin testified about Rönni's post-mortem. He said a bullet had been fired into the victim's back, penetrating the right lung and wedging in the chest cavity.
Vasin said the fatal shot severed a large vein and that caused extensive bleeding in Rönni's chest cavity, where 2 litres of blood accumulated. The other shot that went through his right arm also caused extensive bleeding.
Makando, after the medical evidence was completed, tried to submit an application for a postponement.
He informed the court that he intended to line up and lead witnesses who had not been called by the State.
Judge Christie Liebenberg refused the application.
Shaningua denied guilt on charges of murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice, or attempting to do so, when the trial started.
FRED GOEIEMAN
Marco Kristian Uolevi Rönni (42) was shot nine times in an apparent road-rage incident after a minor accident outside a bar near the Windhoek showgrounds.
The accused, Rodney Danne Shaningua (45), yesterday testified that he had heard a bang when something struck his stationary car.
He further said during cross-examination by defence lawyer Slysken Makando that when he disembarked from the car he saw another car with a revving engine driving towards him. He said he pulled out his gun and fired until the magazine was empty, intending to puncture the wheels to fend off the danger.
He said he returned to his car and saw a Land Rover Discovery passing by his car, followed by a taxi.
Rönni died shortly thereafter. The incident took place during the night of 8 to 9 August outside Joker's Bar in Bell Street in Windhoek.
Shaningua told the court that he had visited the bar at the invitation of his brother Chris and his friends.
Shaningua testified about the condition of State witness Fenola Felix (23), who was with him in his car at the time of the shooting. He said she was drunk and probably drugged. The defence had earlier indicated that they would call a witness to testify to that effect.
Shaningua said Felix had been drinking whiskey at the carwash next to Damara Location in Katutura, where he had found her with his brother and other friends.
On Wednesday, state pathologist Dr Yuri Vasin testified about Rönni's post-mortem. He said a bullet had been fired into the victim's back, penetrating the right lung and wedging in the chest cavity.
Vasin said the fatal shot severed a large vein and that caused extensive bleeding in Rönni's chest cavity, where 2 litres of blood accumulated. The other shot that went through his right arm also caused extensive bleeding.
Makando, after the medical evidence was completed, tried to submit an application for a postponement.
He informed the court that he intended to line up and lead witnesses who had not been called by the State.
Judge Christie Liebenberg refused the application.
Shaningua denied guilt on charges of murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice, or attempting to do so, when the trial started.
FRED GOEIEMAN
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article