The fate of the 15-year-old juvenile and 18-year-old young offender who are standing trial for the murder of 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdella at Kasoa will be determined today, Tuesday May 7, 2024.
The two have been charged together for conspiracy to commit murder and murder of their friend.
The jury is expected to retire to return their verdict after the High Court in Accra presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo had summed up the trial for them.
Before the Court sums up the trial both the defence and prosecution will first address the jury with the final addresses.
The trial by way of evidence concluded on February 14 while the Court granted leave to the Defence lawyers to file their written submissions after March 14.
Dorcas Fellie, a Senior State Attorney had told the Court that, the Prosecution had complied with the directives and orders of the Court to file their written submissions.
On Wednesday, February 14, which is widely celebrated as Valentine’s Day, the second accused (18-year-old) young offender ended his case.
This was after his lawyers had indicated not calling any witness moments after State Prosecutors led by Nana Adoma Osei, a Senior State Attorney signalled the end of her cross-examination.
Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, the presiding judge following the closure of evidence, has ordered the parties to file the final closing addresses by March 14.
The Court said it would make further directives after the parties had complied with the orders regarding their oral addresses to the jury and the court’s subsequent summing up of the trial.
The Prosecution called seven witnesses which include, the father, mother and sister of the 15-year-old juvenile.
The two teenagers have been charged with conspiracy and murder of the 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdella.
While the 15-year-old juvenile (1st Accused) has admitted the offence and stated that they “committed the crime together,” the young offender (2nd Accused) has denied the charges.