The single-count murder charge involving one Pap Lamin Senghore, a resident of London Corner in Serrekunda, Monday proceeded at the high court in Banjul presided over by Justice Mikailu.
The accused was charged with the murder of one Buba Marong, some time in 2013, a charge he denied.
At Monday’s trial, the evidence was adduced by defence witness Ousman Barry, a resident of Sanchaba Sulay Jobe in the Kombo North district of the West Coast Region.
The witness recalled that on 25th April 2013, he was at a certain bar and restaurant having drinks with the accused person, Pap Lamin Senghore, and Buba Marong (the deceased).
He added that the deceased got drunk to the extent of not being able to control himself, and started shouting at the top of his voice, insulting and yelling.
According to the witness, as a result of this, the accused warned him to stop and further denied him taking more drinks.
“The accused and I later went to buy cigarettes from a shop opposite the bar, and left the deceased behind. The accused requested D50, which I gave to him.
“Upon our return to the bar, the deceased and the accused engaged in a dice game, which was won by the accused, but the deceased refused to accept that he lost. There was a push and pull between them over the D50 with both of them holding onto the banknote,” the witness informed the court.
The witness said he advised the accused not to engage in such an act, knowing that the deceased was drunk and not in control of himself.
The witness added that he personally intervened and separated them from having a fight, after which they left and went through a shop where the accused said he wanted to buy his dinner.
“Upon reaching home, while at the gate of my compound, I saw the deceased coming in the darkness approaching the accused,” the witness further told the court.
According to him, he saw the deceased holding his hand and claiming that he was injured by the accused.
The incident happened on a Thursday night, and on Saturday morning while on his way to Serrekunda, the witness met one of his friends who informed him about the arrest of some family members of the accused by the police.
His friend told him those arrested were the father, mother and sister of the accused on the grounds that he (the accused) killed the deceased.
The witness added that he could not believe it, because what he knew was that the deceased was only allegedly injured by the accused on the hand.
The matter was adjourned for the state counsel to cross-examine the witness.
