In William West Murder Case

Alleged Murderer Opens Her Defence
Kate Atori West, a Nigerian lady who is currently standing trial for allegedly murdering her late husband, William West, a British national, last Friday resumed her trial at the Brikama High Court before Justice Ngui Mboob-Janneh.

The accused, in her defence told the court that she lived in England but later resident in Sanyang.

She also adduced that she never wrote a voluntary statement.

According to her, she did not give instructions for voluntary statement to be written for her.

"I do not remember the date a voluntary statement was given to me. After coming back from Sanyang, then they took me to Palma Rima Hotel where there is a police station", she added.

She revealed that when they dropped her at the station, one Boto Keita took her into an empty room and administered electric wire on her, beat her and as a result, "blood was coming from her mouth and nose".

She also told the court that after beating her, a man dressed in a black uniform that looks like a paramilitary police came in.

"He found me sitting and used his boots and pushed me until I fell down and then lifted me. I was crying and I did not see them until the next day and I spent the night in the dark room," she stated.

Kate further told the court that she was later taken to Banjul Police Station where she was put in a cell for two weeks. "After all", she went on, "I was asked about the whereabouts of my husband and I replied to the officer that I knew nothing about him".

During cross-examination, State Counsel Marley Wood asked the accused when she arrived in the Gambia with her husband. In reply, she told the court that it is in her passport.

"Do you remember the month?" asked State Counsel. "It was in 2006", Kate replied. "Which months were you coming to the Gambia with your husband for holidays?" State Counsel Wood further asked. In reply, Kate stated that it depends on her husband.

At that juncture, the case was adjourned to 3rd July 2009.