Student pastor's killer to take stand
Andre Friedel Castro Dausab, who has already been convicted of murdering his pastor-in-training girlfriend, will testify in mitigation of sentence.
Dausab told the Windhoek High Court yesterday that he will give evidence under oath on 1 March, when his case resumes.
He also confirmed that he does not intend calling any other witnesses to testify on his behalf.
He is representing himself, after his lawyer Brownell /Uirab withdraw from the case, citing irreconcilable differences.
The 35-year-old accused was found guilty of murder with direct intent on 25 July last year.
He was convicted of slitting the throat of 33-year-old Gofaone Motlamme at the United Lutheran Paulinum Theological College in Pionierspark Extension One on 22 February 2014. According to the accused,
/Uirab had not represented him honestly and to the best of his abilities during the trial, as he is a legal aid lawyer, whose salary is paid by the government.
“He accused me of colluding with the state to secure his conviction, deliberately concealing evidence from the court, and of failing to challenge evidence presented by the state.
“It is an irrevocable breach of trust and I cannot in good conscience continue to represent Dausab,”
/Uirab said, when he explained to the court why he was withdrawing from the case.
Yesterday, advocate Ethel Ndlovu, who is heading the prosecution, said they are lining up witnesses to testify in aggravation of sentence.
Judge Naomi Shivute informed Dausab that evidence under oath carries more weight and that he will be cross-examined.
He was also informed that he may address the court from the accused dock, and is also entitled to call witnesses. Dausab, however, said that he does not have any other witnesses to call.
FRED GOEIEMAN
Dausab told the Windhoek High Court yesterday that he will give evidence under oath on 1 March, when his case resumes.
He also confirmed that he does not intend calling any other witnesses to testify on his behalf.
He is representing himself, after his lawyer Brownell /Uirab withdraw from the case, citing irreconcilable differences.
The 35-year-old accused was found guilty of murder with direct intent on 25 July last year.
He was convicted of slitting the throat of 33-year-old Gofaone Motlamme at the United Lutheran Paulinum Theological College in Pionierspark Extension One on 22 February 2014. According to the accused,
/Uirab had not represented him honestly and to the best of his abilities during the trial, as he is a legal aid lawyer, whose salary is paid by the government.
“He accused me of colluding with the state to secure his conviction, deliberately concealing evidence from the court, and of failing to challenge evidence presented by the state.
“It is an irrevocable breach of trust and I cannot in good conscience continue to represent Dausab,”
/Uirab said, when he explained to the court why he was withdrawing from the case.
Yesterday, advocate Ethel Ndlovu, who is heading the prosecution, said they are lining up witnesses to testify in aggravation of sentence.
Judge Naomi Shivute informed Dausab that evidence under oath carries more weight and that he will be cross-examined.
He was also informed that he may address the court from the accused dock, and is also entitled to call witnesses. Dausab, however, said that he does not have any other witnesses to call.
FRED GOEIEMAN
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