Abesim murder case adjourned to July 1 over absence of jurors

The trial of Richard Appiah, the draftsman accused of murdering two minors and storing their bodies in a refrigerator at Abesim near Sunyani, has been postponed again due to the absence of jurors.

The case was scheduled for a Case Management Completion plan on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, to facilitate the start of the trial.

However, the proceedings were halted. The jurors have been on strike since May 16, demanding their unpaid allowances for the past ten months.

"My lady, respectfully, this matter was set for today, June 11, for the Case Management Completion plan to be agreed upon between the parties and the court," stated Ebenezer Yaw Acquah, representing the Attorney General.

"The court is handicapped by the absence of the jurors," the prosecution added, requesting guidance.

Justice Ruby Aryeetey has adjourned the case to July 1, 2024.

Richard Appiah, also reported to be a footballer, pleaded not guilty before the High Court in Accra. He denied the murder of two minors, Louis Agyemang, 12, and Stephen Sarpong, 15, and faces two counts of murder.

The trial was initially set to begin on February 14, 2024, under the direction of Justice Ruby Aryeetey.

This followed a statement by Nana Ama Adinkra, a Senior State Attorney, during the Case Management Conference (CMC), that the prosecution would rely on documents listed in the summary of evidence attached to the bill of indictment filed on May 31, 2023.

These documents include the accused's investigation caution statements dated August 21, 2021, and further investigation caution statements dated August 23, 2021, and September 10, 2021.

The prosecution will also rely on the autopsy reports of Stephen Sarpong and Louis Agyemang Jr., dated December 16, 2022, and May 25, 2023, respectively, as well as photographs of the deceased's body parts, partially burnt clothes, slippers, and the clothes of Stephen Sarpong.

Additionally, photographs of a double-door fridge belonging to the accused, containing the body parts of Stephen Sarpong, and a charge statement dated November 10, 2022, will be used.

"Our disclosures contain 13 written statements given at the police station, and we have attached five witness statements from Asuamah Yeboah, Kwasi Boateng, ACP Dr. Owusu Afriyie, ASP Alhaji Shaibu Yakubu Damuin, and Chief Inspector Alexander Otchere," Adinkra informed the court.

She also sought the court's permission to file an additional witness statement from Thomas Agyei, the father of the deceased Louiz Agyemang Jr., "who is indisposed and was not in Accra, and we hope he can recover in time to provide his witness statement."

Faustinus Yirilabuo, the lawyer for the accused, confirmed receipt of the disclosures as indicated by the prosecution.

Justice Ruby Aryeetey, the presiding judge, had set March 14, 2024, for the commencement of the trial, with the prosecution directed to call their first witness.

The accused is undergoing a jury trial.