Heckmair murder probe extended

THE case in which two American citizens are accused of having murdered a young former Windhoek resident early last year was once again postponed on Friday for further investigations to be done.

The two charged men, Marcus Kevin Thomas (26) and Kevan Donnell Townsend (26), heard during an appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court that the Police officer investigating their case has received a list of instructions from the Office of the Prosecutor General about additional aspects of the matter which should be investigated.As a result, more time is needed to bring the investigation to a close, Public Prosecutor Taodago Gaweseb informed Magistrate Justine Asino. On his request, the case was postponed to September 17.Some investigations still need to be done in Namibia, while the Police are also trying to obtain some documentary evidence from the United States, Gaweseb said.During previous court appearances by the two men, the court was told that the Police have been struggling to get Thomas to provide them with satisfactory samples of his handwriting and signature, which they wanted to obtain as part of the investigation.Thomas and Townsend are charged with counts of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, illegal importation of two 9 mm pistol barrels into Namibia, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice, or attempting to do so.They are accused of murdering the 25-year-old Andre Peter Heckmair in Klein Windhoek on January 7 last year. Heckmair was found with a fatal gunshot wound to the head in a car in Gusinde Street, a quiet cul-de-sac off the busy Nelson Mandela Avenue, early in the afternoon of that day.At this stage the prosecution is alleging that Thomas and Townsend stole a cell phone and a wallet from Heckmair after he had been shot.The two suspects were arrested at a guesthouse in Windhoek on the evening of the same day. They have remained in custody since then.

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