By a unanimous decision, a seven-member jury sitting at a Ho High Court, on Wednesday sentenced Kwaku Asare, 77, a farmer and herbalist, to 15years imprisonment in hard labour for killing his wife and her alleged boyfriend.
The accused pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder but upon a plea for mitigation of sentence by counsel, Mr. Ernest Gawu, the charge was commuted to manslaughter. Asare was said to have suspected his wife, Elizabeth Nyante of having an amorous relationship with his errand boy, Yaw Owusu.
He therefore shot them on May 17, 20002 at close range, killing them instantly. The incident took place at Jinjin near Worawora in the Volta Region. According to the prosecution, on the day of the incident, Owusu went to the house of Asare and saw him preparing some concoctions. Immediately Asare saw Owusu, he rushed into his room, brought out a gun and fired, killing Owusu instantly.
The prosecution said that his wife sensing danger, fled but Asare pursued and shot at her, and she also died instantly. Asare was apprehended and handed over to the Worawora police.
