Witness turns dump temporarily in murder trial

Another drama unfolded at the murder trial of Professor Agyewodin Adu Gyamfi Ampem II, Omanhene of Achirensua at the Sunyani High Court on Thursday when a prosecution witness became temporarily dumb for about five minutes.

Osei Brown, an apprentice fitter and the sixth prosecuting witness in the case stood speechless in the box for about five minutes before denying authorship of certain aspects of a statement he had earlier given to the police.

He was the only person crossed examined by defence counsel. The presiding judge, Mr Justice Baffoe Bonnie came to his aid before he (witness) spurted out his denial of the statement. The Omanhene is charged with murder for allegedly shooting one Nii Atoquaye to death.

On Wednesday, Emmanuel Barnes, the fifth prosecution witness caused a stir when he vehemently denied authorship of a statement he was said to have made to the police, forcing the prosecutor to plead for an adjournment till Thursday

Brown denied a suggestion from Mr Otu Essel Kwadwo Fordjour, leading defence counsel that a large group of youths alleged to have inspected a toilet and were singing and beating gong-gong whilst moving towards the Omanhene's palace.

Counsel showed witness a portion of a statement he had given to police confirming that the group was singing and beating gong-gong on the day of the incident, but witness flatly denied giving such statement to police.

Earlier, witness had told the court that a group of about 20 youths had decided at a meeting to inspect a public toilet and that on their return, the accused fired at them without any provocation.

In an hour-long cross-examination, which was not different from the questions and suggestions posed to previous prosecution witnesses, Brown's response to most of them were negative. The prosecutor, Mr Betuusiseeh Cab-Bayuo, Chief State Attorney, declined to call more prosecution witnesses.

He told the court that he would rather arrange for a ballistic examiner and a medical officer to appear before the court to also testify. The court therefore adjourned the case till Tuesday, 16 April 2002.