By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Mariama Jallow, who has been accused of killing a 16-year-old boy in Brufut by stabbing him with a knife, has been told to secure legal representation for her murder trial.
According to the statement of offence of this case, Mariama Jallow faces a murder charge contrary to Section 187 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleges that on November 29, 2023 inBrufut Santosu in the West Coast Region, Mariama Jallow caused the death of Cherno Manneh by stabbing him with a knife on his chest with malice aforethought, thereby committing an offence.
The case was first mentioned on November 30, 2023, when it was brought at the Brusibi Court by Police Prosecutor Superintendent Oley Boob, and presided over by Magistrate Nahra.
After reading the charge sheet, Superintendent Boob applied for the case to be transferred to the High Court due to lack of jurisdiction of the Magistrate court to hear the matter.
“The charge is a capital offence which carries a potential life imprisonment for the defendant, if convicted. Therefore, as a matter of jurisdiction, I apply for the case to be transferred to the High Court, and for the accused person to be remanded in custody,” Superintendent Boob stated.
After considering the prosecution’s application, the presiding magistrate acknowledged the jurisdictional limitation of the Magistrate court in hearing the case.
“This Court does not have the authority to try a capital offence. Therefore, the court hereby transfer the case to the High Court and orders for the accused to be remanded at the State central prison pending her appearance at the High Court,” Magistrate Nahra ruled.
The case was then transferred to the High Court and Justice Jaiteh has since been assigned to hear the case.
Whem the case was called before Justice Jaiteh on Monday, 29January 2024, Counsel A. Jarra appeared for the State and filed a bill of indictment against the accused person. However, the accused person did not have a lawyer to represent her.
At this juncture, Justice Jaiteh said the case could not proceed in the absence of a legal representation for the accused person, given the seriousness of the case. He asked whether the accuse person can afford a lawyer or if the Court should arrange for Legal Aid to provide a lawyer for her.
The accused then informed the court that her family is in the process of finding a lawyer for her, and expressed that she preferred to get her own legal representation.
Justice Jaiteh then adjourned the case for the accused person to secure legal representation for her defence.
