Crime ID: Date of Crime: Type of Crime: Town/City/Place: Crime Description: I am charged with murder for defending myself. In the morning of 4th October at 4.20am me and my girlfried were almost asleep when I did hear a cracking noise on my bedroom balcony door at the third floor balcony. I looked and I could see three black guys who were busy to lift the glass sliding door. I jumped up because I feared they would enter any moment and went to the lounge which is on the same balcony. I fetched my gun and as I opened the door and walked outside I did see one of the guys come at me from a distance of 4 metres. As he was about two metres away I fired towards the direction of the attacker who ran back to escape with the others jumping and climbing very quickly down. I went in and fetched a torch, checked the entire area and did see 3 guys still running down the street, no trace that I shot somebody. I went back to the lounge and tried to phone several Police stations, either not answered or engaged. After 30 minutes I thought I would call in the morning. In the morning after I woke up I did see many police cars and my neighbor phoned telling me there is a dead body in the street. I went down and an Afrikaans Captain who was in charge went to my appartment were I explained what happened. I was not aware that I shot and killed somebody. He said don't worry, we are happy because it was a bad guy they know, there will be no charge and I can relax now. Anyway they came back after 1 hour and arrested me for murder, threw me in a cell for one night under inhuman conditions with no lights for 7 hours. I was glad that I was alone. Next day I got out on bail and my hearing is in February. The reasons given was that the other burglars, later arrrested who knew that we were in the appartment said that I shot without self-defence their friend. I have a good criminal lawyer and hope I get out of this nightmare. I wonder if you have something in addition to help me because I want never go back into a South African prison again. Thanks and best regards Gerhard