Lichtenstrasser warned over delays
Convicted murderer Ernst Lichtenstrasser was yesterday cautioned to cooperate in processes that have caused a month-long delay in his trial.
"If the accused does not cooperate, this must be submitted in writing to the registrar," Judge Christie Liebenberg said.
This follows the testimony of the Namibian Correctional Service’s (NCS) Dr Jona Jona, who examined Lichtenstrasser to determine whether his nearly two-week hunger strike meant he was not well enough to stand trial. Jona said the fact that Lictenstrasser does not take his medication and has not eaten since 1 March means he cannot be tried.
He further testified that during his examination, Lichtenstrasser complained of dizziness and a headache and that questions had to be repeated several times before he understood them.
According to the doctor, the convicted killer also shows signs of dehydration and will have to undergo three weeks of treatment before he will be able to attend court proceedings again.
"The accused is not physically well," he testified.
Jona testified that Lichtenstrasser verbally indicated that he would cooperate in the treatment and that he signed documents to that effect.
This isn't Lichtenstrasser's first hunger strike. He also went on strike in 2019 after he was arrested. At the time, he apparently felt he had been unlawfully detained.
This time around, he has also demanded to be held in a single cell. According to NCS Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela, prisoners are kept in single cells if they are studying, have an infectious disease or if there are security problems.
"We do not consider such requests for those who just want it," he said.
Trial must ‘go ahead’
In a court order, Liebenberg said any progress on Lichtenstrasser's physical condition depends on him ending his hunger strike.
"The doctor is of the opinion that if the accused refuses to cooperate, the trial should go ahead," he said.
He ordered that a medical report on Lichtenstrasser's condition be submitted to the registrar every two weeks and that the registrar be notified of any sign that he is not cooperating.
Lichtenstrasser was found guilty on 2 November 2023 of the 2019 murders of Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology director and deputy director Heimo Hellwig and Eckhart Mueller. Shortly after the verdict was reached, Lichtenstrasser ended up in hospital due to an apparent opioid overdose.
The trial was adjourned until 25 April.
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"If the accused does not cooperate, this must be submitted in writing to the registrar," Judge Christie Liebenberg said.
This follows the testimony of the Namibian Correctional Service’s (NCS) Dr Jona Jona, who examined Lichtenstrasser to determine whether his nearly two-week hunger strike meant he was not well enough to stand trial. Jona said the fact that Lictenstrasser does not take his medication and has not eaten since 1 March means he cannot be tried.
He further testified that during his examination, Lichtenstrasser complained of dizziness and a headache and that questions had to be repeated several times before he understood them.
According to the doctor, the convicted killer also shows signs of dehydration and will have to undergo three weeks of treatment before he will be able to attend court proceedings again.
"The accused is not physically well," he testified.
Jona testified that Lichtenstrasser verbally indicated that he would cooperate in the treatment and that he signed documents to that effect.
This isn't Lichtenstrasser's first hunger strike. He also went on strike in 2019 after he was arrested. At the time, he apparently felt he had been unlawfully detained.
This time around, he has also demanded to be held in a single cell. According to NCS Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela, prisoners are kept in single cells if they are studying, have an infectious disease or if there are security problems.
"We do not consider such requests for those who just want it," he said.
Trial must ‘go ahead’
In a court order, Liebenberg said any progress on Lichtenstrasser's physical condition depends on him ending his hunger strike.
"The doctor is of the opinion that if the accused refuses to cooperate, the trial should go ahead," he said.
He ordered that a medical report on Lichtenstrasser's condition be submitted to the registrar every two weeks and that the registrar be notified of any sign that he is not cooperating.
Lichtenstrasser was found guilty on 2 November 2023 of the 2019 murders of Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology director and deputy director Heimo Hellwig and Eckhart Mueller. Shortly after the verdict was reached, Lichtenstrasser ended up in hospital due to an apparent opioid overdose.
The trial was adjourned until 25 April.
- [email protected]
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