Axe murder accused’s amnesia defence countered
State witness, Dr Dunn testified that Ntshongwana remembered the woman who was allegedly kidnapped and raped the accused, but has no recollection of the other offenses.
ANOTHER expert state witness, specialist psychiatrist Dr Jonathan Dunn testified in the trial of axe murder accused and Yellowwood Park resident, Phindile Ntshongwana’s trial on Thursday morning, 17 July.
Under questioning from state prosecutor, advocate Ria Mina, Dunn testified there was nothing available that states he was unaware of his actions. Dunn said Ntshongwana was able to appreciate the wrongfuls of his actions. His statement was attributed to the fact that attempts were made by the accused to conceal evidence, including the murder weapon.
When asked about his opinion on Ntshongwana’s alleged amnesia over a seven month period, Dunn described the form of amnesia as selective amnesia. “There is no neurological basis for this,” said Dunn. He explained to the court that the type of amnesia described was similar to post-traumatic amnesia, where an individual sustains a severe head injury. However, there was no evidence of Ntshongwana sustaining such an injury.
Previously Professor Abubaker Gangat explained the delusional episodes Ntshongwana is said to have experienced came ‘thick and fast’. However, Dunn said the description was not mentioned in any textbook.
“Whether this form of manifestation of psychotic pathology was present at the time of the individual offences committed over a number of months, is speculative.”
“I fail to see how one could have a hail storm of false beliefs,” said Dunn.
The court heard that delusions are beliefs which do not switch themselves on and off. Dunn testified that the defence’s explanation of Ntshongwana’s delusions, as exhibited in his suspicion of his sister poisoning him, should have manifested by him eliminating her as the source. And in reference to him being followed by an unknown person and being fearful, he should then have remained indoors as the danger would be outside the confines of his house.
Responding to further questions from advocate Mina about Ntshongwana’s alleged amnesia, Dunn testified that he was concerned about his ability to remember the woman whom he is alleged to have kidnapped, which chronologically happened in between the other alleged offenses which he claims he (Ntshongwana) had no recollection of.
“It happened chronologically inbetween the time of other alleged offenses. He remembers the woman but not the murders”
The court also heard that if Ntshongwana was in-fact in a deluded state at the time of crimes, he should have a clear recollection of the events.
The defense argued the crimes were the result of mental illness. Defence attorney Themba Mjoli, started cross examination by questioning state witness’ testimony.
Dr Dunn said earlier in the proceedings that Ntshongwana had answered that he did not remember, when interrogated about the offenses during an interview by Colonel Jason McGray of Brighton Beach SAP. Mjoli asked the witness to show in the transcript where Ntshongwana answered that he had no recollection of the offenses. The witness could not show where Ntshongwana denied remembering the offenses.
The trial continued today, Friday, 18 July.
