Couple on trial in witchcraft killing

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LONDON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- A teenager was tortured for days before his death because his sister and her partner thought he was a sorcerer, a British prosecutor said Thursday.

Eric Bikubi, 28, and Magalie Bamu, 28, are charged with murder in the death of Kristy Bamu, The Guardian reported. Their trial opened Thursday at the Old Bailey in London.

Kristy and three siblings, immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo who lived with their parents in Paris, were visiting their older sister in December 2010 when he was killed. Brian Altman, the prosecuting lawyer, said a few days into the visit Bikubi decided Kristy and two sisters were practicing witchcraft on another child.

Bikubi and Bamu tortured all three and forced them to stay awake and to chant but subjected Kristy to the worst assaults, Altman said. Bikubi allegedly knocked out some of the boy's teeth with a hammer.

"As Kristy's injuries became ever more severe he even pleaded to be allowed to die," Altman added.

Kristy got his wish Christmas Day, Altman said, when Bikubi put him in a bathtub and ran cold water on him. Kristy allegedly drowned, too weak to lift his head.