By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
The prosecution has wrapped up its case in the trial of a British woman’s murder, presenting six witnesses in a single day, including a medical expert who performed the post-mortem examination.
The day’s proceedings began with testimony from a neighbor of the victim in Brusubi, who described the deceased as a kind and gentle person. The witness explained that she learned of the woman’s death on a Friday afternoon and recalled an incident two days earlier when an unidentified tall man knocked on the victim’s door, and later left when there was no response.
The neighbor testified that the accused was the only person she had seen entering the victim’s residence on February 12, 2023. After receiving a call about the death, she informed her husband, who contacted the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
In her statement to CID officers, the neighbor identified the accused as the person she had seen entering the home. She described him as “uncomfortable and nervous” and clarified that she was not aware of the victim ever traveling abroad.
During cross-examination by defense attorney F.T. Sonko, the witness acknowledged her relationship with the victim but denied witnessing the actual murder. She explained that she didn’t intervene when the accused entered because she was afraid, instead waiting for her husband to report the incident. She also noted that the deceased rarely entertained visitors.
Nichole Pammer, a friend of the victim from the United States, also took the stand, describing the deceased as generous and kind. Pammer met the victim in 2022 and said they often communicated via WhatsApp. She testified that she last spoke to the deceased on February 12, 2023, trying to wish her a belated birthday. After not being able to reach her the next day, Pammer and other friends contacted the police. When they received no immediate response, they decided to visit the victim’s home, where they discovered a locked gate. Using a ladder to access the compound, they found a body inside a septic tank and immediately called the authorities.
Another friend, Velma, corroborated Pammer’s testimony, confirming the search of the compound on February 14, 2023, and the discovery of the body in the septic tank. Velma, like Pammer, stressed that she did not witness the murder.
Dr. Ousman Leigh, a pathologist at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, then testified about the post-mortem examination. Dr. Leigh confirmed the autopsy report, detailing the condition of the body, including signs of decomposition and head and neck wounds consistent with blunt force trauma. He provided the medical reasoning behind the cause of death.
The prosecution’s final witness, Deputy Commissioner of Crime Amadou Kujabi, testified about his interactions with the accused following his arrest. Kujabi stated that after the accused confessed, investigators searched his residence, recovering items belonging to the deceased. Kujabi also spoke about the crime scene reconstruction, which was conducted after collecting vital evidence.
A video of the reconstruction, recorded on a flash drive, was introduced as evidence. Despite objections from the defense, the judge admitted the video, which showed the accused explaining the crime scene while visibly emotional and tearful. The footage was then played for the court.
With the conclusion of the Deputy Commissioner’s testimony and the video evidence, the prosecution has completed its case. The trial will now proceed with the defense’s presentation.
