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Satanic ritual witness ‘inconsistent’

Sandy Moeketsi|Published

Lester Moody, 19, who is serving a prison sentence under a plea bargain reached after he confessed to being part of the killing of Kirsty Theologo in October 2011, is seen prior to a testimony at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 23 April 2013.Theologo, 18, was doused with petrol and set alight on a hill behind the Linmeyer swimming pool in an alleged satanic ritual killing in southern Johannesburg, in October 2011. She died a week later at the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital. Her friend, who was 14-years-old at the time, was also burnt, but survived. A second accused, Jeremy King, also entered into a plea bargain with the State in an attempt to get a lesser sentence. Four other accused, Lindon Wagner, Robin Harwood, Harvey Isha, and Courtney Daniels, have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault to cause grievous bodily harm. Picture: Werner Beukes/SAPA Lester Moody, 19, who is serving a prison sentence under a plea bargain reached after he confessed to being part of the killing of Kirsty Theologo in October 2011, is seen prior to a testimony at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 23 April 2013.Theologo, 18, was doused with petrol and set alight on a hill behind the Linmeyer swimming pool in an alleged satanic ritual killing in southern Johannesburg, in October 2011. She died a week later at the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital. Her friend, who was 14-years-old at the time, was also burnt, but survived. A second accused, Jeremy King, also entered into a plea bargain with the State in an attempt to get a lesser sentence. Four other accused, Lindon Wagner, Robin Harwood, Harvey Isha, and Courtney Daniels, have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault to cause grievous bodily harm. Picture: Werner Beukes/SAPA

Johannesburg - A man who admitted to killing Kirsty Theologo in an apparent satanic ritual was accused of being inconsistent while giving evidence in the High Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Friday.

“You are adding evidence as you go along. When you get cornered, you change your evidence,” said defence advocate Enrico Guarneri.

He was cross-examining Lester Moody, who was testifying against four people accused of setting Theologo and her 14-year-old friend on fire on October 21, 2011.

Theologo, who was 18 at the time, was doused with petrol and set alight on a hill behind the Linmeyer public swimming pool south of Johannesburg.

She died a week later in Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Her friend, who was also burnt, survived.

Lindon Wagner, Robin Harwood, Harvey Isha, and Courtney Daniels have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Moody and Jeremy King admitted to the crime under a plea bargain and were each sentenced to 17 years in prison, five of them suspended, on condition they testify against the others.

Guarneri, for Daniels, asked Moody why the group had asked his client to convince Theologo to go to a party with them if he was her closer friend.

Theologo had thought she was going to a party on Friday, October 21, and was not aware she was going to be sacrificed in a ritual.

Moody said Daniels was asked to speak to Theologo because they were both girls and trusted each other.

“But you were better friends,” said Guarneri.

“From where I was thinking, Courtney was more likely to convince Kirsty. Maybe Kirsty would not be comfortable around us boys,” he said.

Judge Geraldine Borchers looked down at Moody and said: “You did say she was a girl among a lot of boys.”

Moody denied this and said Theologo's friend, who survived, was always with her.

Guarneri reminded Moody that he had told the court Theologo would drink alcohol and smoke dagga with the boys during the week, and that her friend was usually around at weekends.

He then asked Moody why Daniels was asked to approach Theologo if she was in a romantic relationship with Theologo's ex-boyfriend.

Wagner's brother apparently had a relationship with Theologo a month and a half before he started seeing Daniels.

The court heard that Moody himself was once in a romantic relationship with Theologo.

Moody said that, at the time, there “didn't seem to be any problems” between Daniels and Theologo.

Guarneri asked him about a meeting held the day before the ritual.

Moody previously told the court certain items were needed for the ritual.

Guarneri asked him what Daniels was supposed to bring.

He put it to Moody that what he had said in his written statement contradicted his evidence in court.

In the statement Moody said Daniels was to bring candles for the satanic star, rope, a Bible, and brake fluid.

However, Moody told the court he brought the brake fluid.

Guarneri then asked Moody if his statement had been a lie.

“It was a mistake, not a lie,” he said.

When Guarneri pointed out holes in Moody's statement and evidence in chief, Moody said Guarneri's questions had confused him.

“I can't remember everything for every question you are asking me now. They are confusing me. You're seriously confusing me,” said Moody.

“Well, if you keep answering like this, I'm going to argue that you are being abrasive,” responded Guarneri. - Sapa