Wife killer possibly has brain damage

A degree of organic brain damage was found in Willem Visagie Barnard, convicted of the murder of his wife, by a consultant clinical psychologist who evaluated him.The psychologist, Erwina Mensah-Husselman, called by defence lawyer Advocate Louis Botes, during her testimony on Friday recommended that a neurologist should conduct further examinations.“I need that substantiation to prove my findings of brain damage,” she testified before Judge Naomi Shivute.She told the court she was sure it was indeed the case and added that there was a decline in Barnard's cognitive function, as his recall of information that he had just heard was slow. “He could not recall dates properly. He mostly estimated dates and times. He only could say, 'approximately three years ago', or, 'I drank two to three bottles',” she said. Barnard, a farmer in the Aranos area, was recently convicted of killing his wife after an argument over the funeral procession of the late South African AWB leader Eugene Terre'Blanche.He shot and killed his wife Anette on 10 April 2010 at their farm near Aranos, in the district of Mariental.Barnard had denied criminal responsibility based on non-pathological criminal incapacity. He had cited medical reports which stated that because of a combination of alcohol and the drugs alprazolam and zopiclone, he likely suffered from memory loss for several hours.He argued he might not be able to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions due to the timing, amount and combination of psychoactive substances he and his wife had consumed during the course of that day.Shivute said in her judgment that although the substances were capable of causing memory loss which could result in temporary non-pathological criminal incapacity, the evidence revealed he was in control of his mental faculties. She said he was able to remember most of what happened but conveniently had lapses of memory of the crucial event.“A link has been established between the firearm, Barnard and Anette,” the judge found.Mensah-Husselman was called by the defence to testify in mitigation of sentencing. She had served in the safety and security ministry between 2005 and 2008, during which time she examined and treated prisoners. She had also examined Barnard to determine whether he was fit to stand trial. She testified that there was no early substance abuse in Barnard's history. This was confirmed by family and friends who said Barnard and his wife were a decent, caring and loving family.She said that Barnard considered himself an introvert and her investigation determined that he suffered from natural cognitive decline.“From my investigation I have no reason to believe that he was malingering. The court can request for further investigation to prove my findings,” she said.Shivute postponed the matter to 28 June. Advocate Cliff Litubezi is appearing for the State. FRED GOEIEMAN

Wife killer possibly has brain damage

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-19

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Wife killer possibly has brain damage

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-19

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