The
criminal trial involving Astou Jeng could not proceed yesterday before
principal magistrate Omar Cham of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court due to the
non-availability of the medical report.
It
would be recalled that the accused, Astou Jeng, was first arraigned before the
Brikama Magistrates Court after she was indicted on a single count of attempted
murder.
The
prosecution alleged that the accused on 16
March 2017, at Brikama Sanchaba, unlawfully attempted to kill one
Alhajie Secka (the accused husband) by pouring petrol on him and setting him
ablaze, causing him serious bodily harm.
The
prosecution led by Sgt Jammeh called Alhajie Secka, the husband of the accused
person who was hospitalized and had been receiving treatment at the Edward
Francis Small Teaching Hospital had testified as the first prosecution witness.
The
matter was then adjourned for the prosecution to tender the medical report.
When
the matter came up yesterday, the prosecuting police officer informed the court
that the medical report was not available, noting that the medical officer who
was supposed to issue the report was out of the jurisdiction and would be back
in the next few days.
He
craved the court’s indulgence to grant the prosecution a short adjournment.
The
matter was then adjourned until 5 July 2017, for continuation of hearing after
the defence counsel, Pa Harry Jammeh, raised no objection to the prosecution
application for an adjournment.
He
noted that both his client (the accused) and the victim needed time to
recuperate.
