Harmse not remorseful - State
2009-09-01 16:01
Johannesburg - Morne Harmse has not shown any remorse for killing a fellow student with a sword, the High Court in Johannesburg heard during sentencing procedures on Tuesday.
"The guilty party is certainly a first time offender, but he shows absolutely no remorse over his gruesome deeds," argued prosecutor Gerrit Roberts.
Harmse carried out the attack, in which he killed 16-year-old Jacques Pretorius and wounded three others, at the Nic Diederichs Technical High School in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, last August.
Roberts said schools were meant to be a safe place, where parents could leave their children without fear.
He said the fact that Harmse committed his crime at this safe place, was "very serious".
Roberts said Harmse also planned the attack long before the crime, making the mask he wore two months in advance. He also discussed the Monday morning attack with friends on the Friday before.
Roberts said the victims were unknown to Harmse, and two were innocent schoolchildren in the prime of their lives.
"The victims were just at the wrong place at the wrong time, whose paths crossed [with Harmse] that day."
Roberts said a life sentence applied in this case.
"The seriousness of the crime, must reflect a fitting punishment."
Harmse will be sentenced on September 10.
- SAPA