Johannesburg - It was suggested that two girls who survived an alleged satanic ritual on a hill in Linmeyer, Johannesburg, in October 2011 should be “finished off”, the High Court in Johannesburg heard on Thursday.
“Lester (Moody) said he could feel that their souls were still up there (on the hill) and we should go and finish them off,” Linden Wagner, the alleged mastermind of the ritual, told the High Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court.
“Jeremy (King) said yes... but no one actually agreed to go back,” he said.
King and Moody had confessed to the crime and were each sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment, five of them suspended.
Earlier, Wagner told the court how he was in a trance as he assaulted Kirsty Theologo, 18, and her 14-year-old friend, before dousing them with petrol. He set Theologo alight, and when he heard a scream before setting the 14-year-old alight, he came “back to reality”. Theologo died of her burns a week later. Her friend survived.
Wagner said he and his accomplices then ran away.
“I had fear within my heart,” he said.
Several hours later, Wagner heard the girls had made it home and he went to check on them.
“Kirsty's mother ran towards me crying, saying Harvey (Isha) and his friends had burnt Kirsty. She pointed where they were,” said Wagner.
“I came to where they were and I looked at her (Kirsty). We had eye contact but I couldn't see her anymore (because of her injuries).
“I asked if she was all right and she didn't respond.”
Wagner said when he saw the others who had participated in the ritual they suggested that they finish the girls off.
Wagner told the court he knew what he was doing, but had no control over it.
“From the way I recall it, I knew what I was doing... I knew where everything was (for the ritual).”
The girls had been used as part of a “soul-selling” ritual and were friends with their attackers.
Wagner said he had no feeling, thoughts or emotion during the attack. He had been under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
“I remember strangling (the girl who survived),” said Wagner.
He placed his arms around her neck and held on 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,” said Wagner.
“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 their blood drip into the fire they had started. A Bible was put into the blaze.
“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,” Wagner said.
It was then that he set her alight and she was engulfed in flames.
Wagner, Isha, Robin Harwood and Courtney Daniels are charged with murder, attempted murder, and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. All have pleaded not guilty.
Sapa