US citizens convicted of Windhoek murder

The decision by American citizens Marcus Thomas and Kevan Townsend to remain silent in the face of evidence implicating them in the murder they were accused of committing in Windhoek nearly 13 years ago ended up strengthening the state’s case against them. That’s the view of Justice Christie Liebenberg who convicted them of murder and other charges in the Windhoek High Court. The Namibian reports that he found Thomas (38) and Townsend (37) both guilty on counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and the possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence. He said they killed Andre Heckmair in Klein Windhoek on 7 January 2011 by shooting him in the head. They decided not to testify in their own defence after the state closed its case in their trial and an application by them to be found not guilty at that stage of the trial was dismissed by Liebenberg in June this year. Thomas and Townsend, represented by defence lawyers Salomon Kanyemba and Mbanga Siyomunji are due to return to court for a presentence hearing on 18 September. Deputy Prosecutor-General Antonia Verhoef is representing the state.