'I just kept shooting...'
2005-06-12 12:35
Lizel Steenkamp
Johannesburg - "Dear Jana ... I kept shooting at you until there were no more bullets in the gun."
This sentence in a letter of confession described how a young man shot and killed the mother of his three-year-old blonde daughter in a home in Hartbeespoort in North West in the middle of the night.
Richard Martin von Amerom, 30, wrote the letter in a police cell in Hartbeespoort two days after he was arrested for the murder of Jana Venter, 31.
Nobody knows what happened between Von Amerom and Venter that night in their home.
The factory manager's letter of confession to his murdered partner showed that he didn't know either.
"I always thought I would give you my life without thinking, but instead I shot you without thinking twice - not only once, but until there were no more bullets left. I ask myself why, but I can't remember!"
In this letter and another directed at Venter's family, Von Ameron said he was "very sorry" and "regretted" the shooting, and that they must pray for him, since "I need it".
The also wrote a letter to his daughter.
"Dear Nikita. Daddy loves you. I hope you are well. I am well, and I will see you again and then we will ride with your BMW or with your bicycle. Lots of love, Daddy."
These letters were handed in at the Brits magistrate's court as evidence during Von Ameron's bail application. Henk Venter, Jana's father, rushed to the court after attending his daughter's cremation service in Hartbeespoort.
"I want to stop him from being granted bail. We have a small girl to take care of," he said in front of the court. He attempted to explain, but was overcome with grief.
Venter alleged in a statement, which was also handed in at court, that Von Amerom arrived at their home in Kommandokop, Hartbeespoort, about 23:00 on June 2. He dropped off Nikita.
"He said he had shot and killed Jana and that I must take care of Nikita. He showed no emotion."
Venter phoned the police on Von Amerom's insistence and he was arrested later that night.
Venter's statement said the couple had lived together for five years. He alleged there were "several incidents of family violence".
He alleged Von Amerom had earlier threatened to shoot his daughter and that he had assaulted her.
Von Ameron stood without moving while the statement was being read.
His emotions only once got out of hand during a brief adjournment when he openly cried while talking to his father, Richard von Amerom sen of Linden, Johannesburg.
The State opposed bail.
Magistrate Louwrens Pretorius, however, in his ruling said Von Amerom's attitude indicated that he was in a "lot of pain".
"I detect tremendous emotion in the court and in the hallways. But I have to think rationally about this. "
Pretorius set bail at R3 000, with strict conditions.
Von Amerom must report to the Linden police station three times a week, he may not contact the murdered woman's family and may see his child only in the presence of a social worker.
- Rapport