Alleged killer expected Satan to appear after setting Theologo alight

The alleged mastermind of a deadly satanic ritual expected Satan to appear after calling on him in a chant, the High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge, heard on Friday.

"I expected something to happen," said Lindon Wagner, who wrote the poem that he and his accomplices chanted after he assaulted and set alight his friend Kirsty Theologo, 18, and throttled her 14-year-old friend.

"In American films, people who sold their souls died physically and then came back to life," he said.

On Wednesday, Wagner testified that he had wanted to sell his soul so he could gain power.

"When you sell your soul, you gain something. You can gain money, power and fame," he said.

Wagner said he loved Theologo, the High Court heard.

"I found Kirsty attractive," he told the court.

"We were close friends... There were times when we kissed, but we never had sexual relations.

"I loved her, but I was not in love with her," he testified.

Wagner told the court that Theologo, 18, had briefly dated one of his friends, Robin Harwood.

Harwood was also allegedly part of the group which took part in the demonic ritual that resulted in Theologo's death.

The attack on Theologo and her friend occurred at a hill in Linmeyer, in Johannesburg south, in October 2011.

Theologo died of her injuries a week later. Her friend, who was 14-years-old at the time, survived.

Wagner, Harwood, Harvey Isha, and Courtney Daniels are on trial for Theologo's murder and the attempted murder of her friend, and for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. All have pleaded not guilty.

Two other accused, Jeremy King and Lester Moody, confessed to the crime and were each sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment, five of them suspended.

On Thursday, Wagner gave the court a detailed account of how he strangled the 14-year-old girl until she was unconscious.

He said he then repeatedly hit Theologo with a rock on the head before setting her alight.

He and his accomplices then made cuts on their hands and dripped their blood into a fire. They also burnt a Bible.

Wagner said he was aware of what he was doing, but had no control over himself. He said he had felt a rush through his body, and was "zoned out" throughout the attack.

The trial continues.