Murder suspect cross-examined

A murder suspect, Lamin Ceesay, a native of Brikamaba village, Lower Fulladu West of the Central River Region, was recently cross-examined at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul before Justice Emmanuel Nkea.

Lamin Ceesay was alleged to have murdered one Lamin Bayo, by stabbing him with a knife, a charge he denied.

Testifying under cross-examination, Ceesay told the court that when he realised his property was stolen he was annoyed, but at that point, he did not know who stole his property.

“I cannot tell at that point who had stolen my property,” he said, adducing he was later able to establish who stole his property.

Still testifying under cross-examination, Ceesay said: “When I gave him a blow, he ran away, but after giving him a blow, I did not hear that the late Lamin Bayo had a fight or quarrel with anyone.”

He added that when he attempted to give him a blow, the deceased ran away but he did not run after the deceased, stating that he later heard that the deceased had died.

The accused further told the court that Wandifa was not physically present when he (the accused) was arrested in Wandifa’s compound in Brikamaba while lying on the Bambo bed.

“I accompanied Wandifa to the main road when he said he wanted to go to the Kombos. My statement was written by officer Dumbuya,” he said.

The witness denied killing the deceased as well as stabbing him with a knife, further stating that he was only in possession of a nail cutter, not a knife.

He admitted that the nail cutter was in his pocket and was never stained with blood.

“I was arrested and taken to Brikamaba Police Station where a statement was obtained from me,” he explained.

The case was adjourned till 25 July 2013, for judgment.