American nationals Marcus Thomas and Kevan Townsend have applied for leave to appeal against their convictions on a count of murder and other charges, and the lengthy prison terms to which they were sentenced nine months ago.
High Court judge Christie Liebenberg heard their application to be allowed to appeal to the Supreme Court on Tuesday. He said he will give his ruling on the application for leave to appeal on 9 September.
Liebenberg found Thomas (39) and Townsend (38) guilty on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, importing of firearm parts and possession of a firearm and ammunition in September last year.
The two men were convicted of murdering a 25-year-old man, Andre Heckmair, in Windhoek on 7 January 2011.
Heckmair was killed when he was shot in the head in a car, after he had been lured to a meeting with unnamed Americans who had been in telephone contact with him during the days before the killing.
Thomas was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment, while Townsend was sentenced to 29 years’ imprisonment, in October last year.
In sentencing, Liebenberg stated that the two convicted men did not express any remorse over the crimes they committed.
He also noted that the motive for the murder remained a mystery.
Liebenberg described the murder of Heckmair as premeditated and callous.
Defence lawyer Boris Isaacks represented Thomas in the Windhoek High Court on Tuesday, while Mbanga Siyomunji appeared on behalf of Townsend.
Deputy prosecutor general Antonia Verhoef represented the state.
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