Girl, 15, charged in satanic rite murder

Humansdorp Magistrate's Court has granted bail to six people accused of killing a child during a violent exorcism.

Humansdorp Magistrate's Court has granted bail to six people accused of killing a child during a violent exorcism.

Published Nov 24, 2011

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The youngest of a group of six allegedly responsible for the satanic ritual that claimed Kirsty Theologo’s life was charged with her murder on Wednesday.

The 15-year-old girl stood alongside her five co-accused for the first time since their arrests last month, teary-eyed and nervous before she was called to the dock.

She was charged with murder and the attempted murder of two teenage girls. Her tidy appearance and large eyes belied the fact that she is accused of luring the girls into the hills, where they were tied up, beaten and burnt.

The 15-year-old and Lindon Wagner, 21, Lester Moody, 18, Jeremy King, 18, Harvey Isha, 23, and Robin Harwood, 18, were told they would have to wait until January for the case to be transferred to the high court. Further forensic investigation is required.

Wednesday’s proceedings were in camera because of the minor. She is still waiting on her legal aid application.

Investigating officer Warrant Officer Joseph Yende has alleged in an affidavit that the group had blamed Kirsty for the incident, telling police she had “wanted to be sacrificed”.

His affidavit gave a detailed version of the events of October 21.

The 15-year-old and Wagner were the first to approach Kirsty’s 14-year-old friend that day. They insisted the 14-year-old bring Kirsty to Wagner’s flat, where they were told to join the group of boys climbing the koppie behind the Linmeyer swimming pool.

On the way, Isha had gone to a garage, telling Kirsty and her friend he was going to buy sweets and cigarettes. He said nothing about buying petrol.

The girls were given alcohol and dagga, when a suggestion to “sacrifice Kirsty” turned violent. Wagner beat Kirsty over the head with a rock before she and her friend were wrestled to the ground and tied down.

The group are then said to have drawn a pentagram on the ground, lit candles and read from a Bible.

The 15-year-old accused’s palm was cut as part of the ritual and her blood was smeared onto the Bible. The two bound girls were doused in petrol and set alight, while the others fled.

Kirsty died from her wounds a week later, while her friend is still recovering from severe burns.

The 15-year-old is the only one of the six accused who remains outside prison, as bail applications for four of the other accused were denied.

Wagner chose not to apply for bail, and, with Isha, applied for psychiatric evaluation. However, after three confessions to the crime had been made to police, it was revealed on Wednesday that the pair had rescinded their applications.

Wagner was convicted of housebreaking in 2006 and possession of dagga a year later, and given a suspended sentence for both crimes.

Moody was handed over to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in February this year after pleading guilty to assaulting a man with a brick, allegedly while drunk. - The Star

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