Murder accused opposes women abuse

Linden Wagner is seen at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court. File photo: Itumeleng English

Linden Wagner is seen at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court. File photo: Itumeleng English

Published Oct 29, 2013

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Johannesburg - The alleged mastermind of a Satanic plot which led to the death of Kirsty Theologo was opposed to women abuse, the High Court in Johannesburg sitting in Palm Ridge heard on Tuesday.

Psychologist Sunette van den Heever said Lindon Wagner claimed to hate violence against women, as he had witnessed his own mother being abused.

State prosecutor Karien Coetzee argued, however, that Wagner had injured three women during a Satanic ritual, and one of them died as a result of it.

During earlier proceedings, Wagner told the court he hit Theologo, 18, several times on the head with a rock, doused her with petrol and set her alight in a “soul-selling” ritual on a hill in Linmeyer, Johannesburg in October 2011. He also assaulted Theologo's 14-year-old friend. Theologo died in hospital a week later while her friend survived the attack.

He had also helped to cut the hand of female co-accused Courtney Daniels, as they dripped their blood into a fire during the ritual.

On Tuesday, Van den Heever said the attack was isolated.

“The incident on the mountain was isolated. He gave Kirsty an ear, he wanted to protect her and even gave her a place to sleep when she needed it.”

She said Wagner was isolated and lonely. His mother had refused to live with him because of his drug use.

Wagner wore a black jersey and white shirt as he sat in court on Tuesday. He had plaited his long curly hair into braids.

During his testimony earlier, Wagner told the court he had loved Theologo. He said something had come over him when he performed the ritual with his co-accused. He admitted that he had hoped to gain power from selling his soul to the devil.

He and his co-accused were under the influence of alcohol and drugs during the attack.

Coetzee argued that Wagner and his co-accused planned the attack. They were not always intoxicated when they discussed the plan.

Wagner, Daniels, Robin Harwood and Harvey Isha are on trial for the murder of Theologo and the attempted murder of her friend.

Two others, Lester Moody and Jeremy King, confessed to the killing and were sentenced to 17 years in jail, five of them suspended.

The trial was adjourned to November 4.

Sapa

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