A defence lawyer in the trial of persons accused of murdering two policemen is demanding a psychiatric evaluation of his client, Eric Kojo Duah.
George Eshun told the Kaneshie District Court that it’s not usual to have someone brandish a gun and use it in such a manner.
Mr. Eshun told the court he has known the accused person since he was a boy and was always humble.
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He however said the death of his mother may have affected him and he thinks an evaluation will put his suspicions to rest.
Eric Duah is alleged to have shot and killed the policemen– Mohammed Awal and Michael Dzamesi – when they accosted them for refusing to heed to a signal to stop.
The deceased policemen were personnel of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) detachment at Kasoa, and their deaths sparked public outrage.
State Prosecutors handling the case for the second time dropped charges against a suspect charged over the crime. ASP Sylvestre Asare on Monday withdrew the charge sheet filed earlier in the month that charged three persons including Eric Kojo Duah, Michael Osafo Ani and Theophilus Acheampong.
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The new charge sheet filed however does not include Theophilus Acheampong, leaving the court to free him. It will be recalled that a similar move by state prosecutors led to the release of Six persons.
The new charge sheet slaps Eric Kojo Duah with two counts of murder while Theophilus Acheampong is also charged with two counts of abetment to commit crime namely murder.
Lawyer for the two accused persons George Eshun however had questions for the prosecution. He pointed out that the facts of the case read by prosecution only mentions that the second accused person (Theophilus Acheamong) was only in the car with Eric Duah and drove the car away at a point. He insisted he’s not clear in his mind how that amounted to any crime for which reason he should be charged.
ASP Asare responded that the court at this stage was not taking evidence and can therefore not be invited to assess the case based on the facts. He rebutted that investigations is a process and was still ongoing. He assured the court that committal proceedings will start shortly.
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On the request for psychiatric examination. ASP Asare described the request as “surprising”. He said the accused person had appeared before the court many times and that this was the first time Lawyer Eshun was appearing as his lawyer. He therefore wondered the basis for his suspicion that Kojo Duah may not be sane. He said the fact that someone is charged with murder cannot be a reason for such a request.
He said the state is opposed to the application and urged the defence lawyers to confer with his client and avoid wasting the court’s time.
The Kaneshie District court turned down the request for evaluation. The court in its ruling indicated that the accused person has so far not shown any sign of insanity.
The Magistrate also pointed out that Mr. Eshun has informed the court he’s yet to have conference with his client since taking over the case. The Magistrate therefore wondered why such an application will be made.
On whether the facts of the case supports a charge against Theophilus Acheampong, the court pointed out that the application is premature as their pleas have not even been taken.
Source: Ghana|Joy News|Joseph Ackah-Blay