Johannesburg - The alleged ringleader of a ritual which caused the death of a girl and another who was severely injured knew exactly what he was doing when he attacked them, the High Court in Johannesburg heard on Thursday.
“From the way I recall it, I knew what I was doing.... I knew where everything was [for the ritual],” Linden Wagner told the high court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court.
He said he had no feeling, thoughts or emotion during the attack on a hill in Linmeyer, south of Johannesburg, in October 2011. He had been under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Kirsty Theologo, 18, and a friend were doused with petrol and set alight in an alleged satanic ritual on the hill. Theologo died of her burns a week later, but her 14-year-old friend survived the attack.
Wagner testified on Thursday that he remembered strangling Theologo's friend.
He placed his arms around her neck and held her until she was unconscious. He then tied her hands with a scarf.
“I don't remember having a conversation with anyone, or even seeing what I was doing until I saw them [the other people involved in the ritual] around Kirsty,” he said.
“I then picked up a rock and walked up to her and dropped it on her head.
“It bounced and I lifted it up and hit her two times,” he said.
He and the others cut their hands and let drops of their blood fall into a fire they had started. A Bible was also placed in the flames.
“Kirsty had regained consciousness and was standing. I splashed her with petrol. I then looked for a light.
“I heard Kirsty say she thought we were friends,” said Wagner.
It was then that he set her alight. She was engulfed in flames, he said.
Theologo's mother Sylvia broke down in court and proceedings were adjourned.
Wagner, Harvey Isha, Robin Harwood, and Courtney Daniels are charged with murdering Theologo, attempting to murder her friend, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. All have pleaded not guilty.
Two other accused, Jeremy King and Lester Moody, confessed to the crime and were each sentenced to 17 years imprisonment, five of which were suspended.
Sapa