Lichtenstrasser denies Mueller threats
Claims threats made by anonymous author
Ernst Lichtenstrasser, who is on trial for the murders of NIMT directors Eckhart Mueller and Heimo Hellwig, this week denied that he threatened Mueller prior to his death.
Double murder accused and former Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) employee Ernst Lichtenstrasser has denied that he threatened murder victim Eckhart Mueller.
According to a witnesses testimony earlier in the trial, Lichtenstrasser reportedly told Mueller he should "sleep with one eye open."
During the trial on Monday, Lichtenstrasser, however, denied making the threat and argued that this threat was directed at Mueller in an anonymous letter to NIMT employees. He denied having any knowledge of the origin of the letter.
Lichtenstrasser argued that a group of NIMT employees had become restless in the run-up to the anonymous letter due to various issues such as the threat to their job security, the financial management of NIMT, corruption and nepotism at the company.
Respected
He also told the court he was not opposed to his relocation from Tsumeb to Keetmanshoop, but that he objected to the financing of his move. "I would have to pay the move myself and claim it back from them (NIMT), but I knew there would be a problem with the claim," he said.
He also told the court that he never had disputes with NIMT director Heimo Hellwig and that he shared a relationship based on mutual respect with Mueller.
"He was not easy to please, but I think I satisfied him with my work, and I respected him for his work etiquette," Lichtenstrasser told Judge Christie Liebenberg.
His side
He explained during his testimony that he spent several days in the desert near Spitzkoppe without any contact. "Because of my post-traumatic stress, I sometimes have a need to be alone," he explained.
Lichtenstrasser claimed he only learned about the murders of Mueller and Hellwig through the media the day after they were committed.
Lichtenstrasser is the first witness in the defense's case after the state closed its case in December last year. His legal representative, Albert Titus, explained to Liebenberg that they intend to call three more witnesses, one of whom is a ballistics expert from America. Titus said that this expert, William Tobin, will testify in April.
According to a witnesses testimony earlier in the trial, Lichtenstrasser reportedly told Mueller he should "sleep with one eye open."
During the trial on Monday, Lichtenstrasser, however, denied making the threat and argued that this threat was directed at Mueller in an anonymous letter to NIMT employees. He denied having any knowledge of the origin of the letter.
Lichtenstrasser argued that a group of NIMT employees had become restless in the run-up to the anonymous letter due to various issues such as the threat to their job security, the financial management of NIMT, corruption and nepotism at the company.
Respected
He also told the court he was not opposed to his relocation from Tsumeb to Keetmanshoop, but that he objected to the financing of his move. "I would have to pay the move myself and claim it back from them (NIMT), but I knew there would be a problem with the claim," he said.
He also told the court that he never had disputes with NIMT director Heimo Hellwig and that he shared a relationship based on mutual respect with Mueller.
"He was not easy to please, but I think I satisfied him with my work, and I respected him for his work etiquette," Lichtenstrasser told Judge Christie Liebenberg.
His side
He explained during his testimony that he spent several days in the desert near Spitzkoppe without any contact. "Because of my post-traumatic stress, I sometimes have a need to be alone," he explained.
Lichtenstrasser claimed he only learned about the murders of Mueller and Hellwig through the media the day after they were committed.
Lichtenstrasser is the first witness in the defense's case after the state closed its case in December last year. His legal representative, Albert Titus, explained to Liebenberg that they intend to call three more witnesses, one of whom is a ballistics expert from America. Titus said that this expert, William Tobin, will testify in April.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article