Kasoa 10-old Murder Case: Court Defers Judgment To June 24

“Our summing up is not ready” were the initial words of Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, the trial judge who is presiding over the case in which a 15-year-old juvenile and an 18-year-old young offender are standing trial for murder.

They are said to have killed a 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdellah, for an alleged money ritual and their fate was expected to be determined on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

However, when the case called for closing addresses and subsequent summing up for the jury to retire and come out with their verdict, the court said the summing up was not ready.

The two have been charged together for conspiracy to commit murder and murder of the 10-year-old.

When the case was called, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo said “Our summing up is not ready” before the jury panel agreed on June 24, for closing addresses by the parties and summing up.

The court pointed to “circumstances beyond  “its control to adjourn the case to June 24 for closing addresses and summing up.

The trial by way of evidence concluded on February 14 while the Court granted leave to the Defence lawyers to file their written submissions after March 14.

Dorcas Fellie, a Senior State Attorney had told the Court that, the Prosecution had complied with the directives and orders of the Court to file their written submissions.

EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that the mother and father of the late Ishmael Mensah Abdella and other members of the family who were present at the Court were disappointed at the adjournment.

Background

On Wednesday, February 14, which is wildly celebrated as Valentine’s Day, the second accused (18-year-old) young offender ended his case.

This was after his lawyers had indicated not calling any witness moments after State Prosecutors led by Nana Adoma Osei, a Senior State Attorney signaled the end of her cross-examination.

Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, the presiding judge following the closure of evidence, has ordered the parties to file the final closing addresses by March 14.

The Court said it would make further directives after the parties had complied with the orders regarding their oral addresses to the jury and the court’s subsequent summing up of the trial.

EIB Network Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah reports that the Prosecution called seven witnesses which include, the father, mother, and sister of the 15-year-old juvenile.

The two teenagers have been charged with conspiracy and murder of the 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdella before the High Court in Accra presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo.

While the 15-year-old juvenile (1st Accused) has admitted the offense and stated that they “committed the crime together,” the young offender (2nd Accused) has denied the charges.

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