Murder suspect sent for psychiatric evaluation

THE murder trial of a former fish-factory worker in the High Court at Keetmanshoop has been postponed for the suspect to undergo psychiatric evaluation.

Andreas Negonga David (32), a former employee of Luederitz fishing company Pescanova, faces charges of murder and attempted murder. Defence counsel Winnie Christians yesterday asked Judge Kato Van Niekerk to postpone the trial pending a psychiatrist test report.”After consultations it emerged that the accused suffered from temporary mental incapacity at the time of his alleged criminal actions,” he told the Judge.Christians added that David maintained he was suffering from temporary amnesia when the crimes were committed.Christians said he wanted to determine whether David’s mental state resulted in his alleged actions.Judge Van Niekerk transferred the murder trial to the High Court in Windhoek for plea and trial on September 20.David’s bail was withdrawn and he remains in custody.David is accused of stabbing a fellow worker, Geralda Eugina Apollus, with a knife at the workplace on June 24 2004.Apollus, who was David’s supervisor, later died of the stab wounds.David is also facing an attempted murder charge for allegedly trying to kill another fellow worker, Wilson Shityeni, by stabbing him with a knife on the same day.Defence counsel Winnie Christians yesterday asked Judge Kato Van Niekerk to postpone the trial pending a psychiatrist test report.”After consultations it emerged that the accused suffered from temporary mental incapacity at the time of his alleged criminal actions,” he told the Judge.Christians added that David maintained he was suffering from temporary amnesia when the crimes were committed.Christians said he wanted to determine whether David’s mental state resulted in his alleged actions.Judge Van Niekerk transferred the murder trial to the High Court in Windhoek for plea and trial on September 20.David’s bail was withdrawn and he remains in custody.David is accused of stabbing a fellow worker, Geralda Eugina Apollus, with a knife at the workplace on June 24 2004.Apollus, who was David’s supervisor, later died of the stab wounds.David is also facing an attempted murder charge for allegedly trying to kill another fellow worker, Wilson Shityeni, by stabbing him with a knife on the same day.