Alleged murderer suffers epileptic seizure in court

Drama unfolded in the Cape Coast District Magistrate's Court when proceedings in the Court came to a brief halt on Monday when a 49 year old accused person standing trial for murder, suddenly suffered an epileptic seizure.

Paul Arthur, unemployed, who was in court for allegedly beating an 81- year- old male relative to death at Kormantse in the Mfantseman West District, for gossiping about him, had been handcuffed and seated awaiting his case to be called when the incident occurred.

Arthur, clad in a turquoise-blue shirt over a pair of blue-black and white shorts, suddenly started shaking, salivating, blinking repeatedly with his head turned to one side, landed on the floor, still in motion, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) observed.

Police Officers on duty, quickly un-cuffed and dragged him out of the courtroom to enable the court resume proceeding but the episode lasted only a few minutes, as Arthur soon regained consciousness.

Further checks by the GNA revealed that Arthur was diagnosed several years ago with the medical condition and had scars on his arm and other parts of his body as a result of similar seizures.

When the case was later called, the court presided over by Mr. William Baffoe questioned Arthur’s state of mind in view of the circumstances which led to the alleged murder and ordered his transfer from prison to Police custody temporarily to prevent him from harming himself or other inmates.

In view of this, the case was adjourned to Wednesday February 4 on which arrangement would be made to transfer Arthur to the Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital for further medical examination.

Meanwhile the court is still waiting for advice on the case from the Attorney General’s Department.

The fact of the case earlier presented to the Court by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Okyere Andam who prosecuted, indicated that Arthur also known as Kwame Egyir and the victim, Kwamena Sey were relatives who lived in their family house at Kormantse.

He said Arthur had a sour relationship with the late Sey due to some trivial family issues and that on Thursday 15 January, at about 1900hrs, Arthur demanded money from his grandmother, Auntie Aba Kweniwa to enable him buy food for supper but she refused.

He said Arthur later entered his room, from where he spotted the late Sey having a conversation with his grandmother and shortly afterwards, the deceased also entered his room.

ASP Andam said the accused then pursued and pounced on the deceased in the room and subjected him to severe beatings and also stamped on the chest of the deceased with his foot until he went unconscious all because Arthur claimed the deceased had gossiped about him.

The prosecutor said attempts by neighbors who rushed to the scene after an alarm was raised; to revive the deceased was unsuccessful and a complaint was lodged at the police station leading to Arthur’s arrest.

The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue for further investigation.