Schiefer wants to see third psychiatrist

DOUBLE murder suspect Romeo Schiefer wants to be given an opportunity to be seen by a private psychiatrist, to an evaluation of his mental state, his defence lawyer indicated in the High Court in Windhoek yesterday.

Defence lawyer Winnie Christians told Judge Naomi Shivute that a psychologist who was supposed to be consulted by Schiefer on Wednesday, has indicated that she cannot carry out the sort of evaluation of his mental condition that the defence wants to be done.As a result, Christians wants to ask the court to allow Schiefer (23) to consult a private psychiatrist.The prosecution will oppose this application, Deputy Prosecutor General Belinda Wantenaar told the judge.The point is due to be argued before Judge Shivute today.Schiefer has already been observed by two State-employed psychiatrists. Both of them have reported to the court that they found Schiefer not to be mentally ill, and that he was fit to stand his trial.Schiefer is accused of murdering his parents, Frans and Francina Schiefer (both aged 50), in their home in Khomasdal in Windhoek on the evening of January 18 2008 – two months before Schiefer turned 19. Mr Schiefer was killed when he was shot once in the head. Mrs Schiefer was stabbed with two knives and shot nine times.Schiefer is denying guilt.Wantenaar closed the case for the prosecution, which had called 17 witnesses to present its case to the court, on Monday.The court heard last week that Schiefer admitted that he had killed his parents when he made a confession before a senior Police officer on the day after the double slaying. He indicated that the murders were triggered by an argument between him and his mother about his bad school results.Schiefer has been disputing the admissibility of the confession, until Judge Shivute ruled that it could be used as evidence by the prosecution.