Johannesburg - Phrases were chanted before Kirsty Theologo and her friend were set alight, the High Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court heard on Wednesday.
Her alleged murderers stood at the points of a satanic star, where candles burnt. In the middle of the star was a burning Bible, where blood would be shed, Lester Moody told the court.
Moody was testifying against four people accused of setting Theologo and her friend alight in an apparent satanic ritual on October 21, 2011.
Theologo, 18, was doused with petrol and set alight on a hill behind the Linmeyer swimming pool, in southern Johannesburg. She died a week later in the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Her 14-year-old friend survived.
Lindon Wagner, Robin Harwood, Harvey Isha, and Courtney Daniels have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Moody and Jeremy King admitted to the crime under a plea bargain and were each sentenced to 17 years in prison, five of them suspended.
Moody told the court that he, King and the others read lines written by Wagner while standing at the star.
“I only remember the last few words. It was 'peer in the star and show us who you are'.”
They repeated the phrase three times, then voiced their wishes, which were for power, wisdom, fame, and money.
The court heard that Wagner cut his hand with a knife and squeezed blood onto the burning Bible. The knife was then handed to Daniels, but she was too scared to cut herself and asked Wagner to cut her palm.
Theologo was standing about 11 paces away from them. She was guarded by Isha, who did not participate in the ritual because he was not supposed to be there, Moody testified.
“Harvey then told Lindon: 'Kirsty is gaining consciousness,'“ Moody told the court.
Wagner then ran to Theologo and threw petrol on her. He saw flames, he said.
“You don't just burst into flames when petrol is thrown at you,” said Judge Geraldine Borchers.
“He had a gun-lighter. He lit her,” said Moody.
He told the court Theologo started screaming.
Wagner then went to Theologo's friend, who had passed out behind a tree, and set her alight too. The group then ran away.
“I didn't look back. As I went further away, I didn't hear anymore screaming, said Moody.
“They would scream and then keep quiet and then start again until we couldn't hear them,” he testified.
“Why did you run?” asked Borchers.
“Because they were on fire, that's why,” Moody replied.
“But you planned it?” she asked.
“Yes,” Moody said.
The trial continues. - Sapa