Pathologist to testify in Major Mahama ‘killers’ trial

The pathologist who conducted an autopsy on Major Maxwell Adam Mahama is expected to testify at the Accra High Court on November 19,2019.

Dr Lawrence Edusei, the 13th prosecution witness, was in court yesterday to give evidence in the trial of the 14 people alleged to have conspired and killed the military officer, but his testimony had to be postponed due to the non-availability of the original autopsy report which he prepared.

Although a photocopy of the autopsy report had been filed at the court, the rules of evidence stipulates that the original must be employed in the trial.

The prosecutor, Ms Evelyn Keelson, a Chief State Attorney, told the court that the prosecution was having a little challenge transferring the original report from the Accra Central District Court to the High Court.

The autopsy report was part of the summary of evidence contained in the bill of indictment filed at the District Court by the prosecution which led the court to commit the 14 accused persons to stand trial at the High Court.

Ms Keelson prayed the court to adjourn the case to enable the prosecution to transfer the original document for Dr Lawrence Edusei to take the witness stand.

The court, presided over by Justice Mariama Owusu, a Justice of the Court of Appeal with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, granted the prayer of the prosecution and adjourned the trial to November 19,2019.

Prosecution witnesses

The prosecution intends to call 14 witnesses to prove its case.

It has so far called 12 witnesses which include colleagues of Major Mahama, residents of Denkyira Obuasi, where Major Mahama was killed, who witness the death of the military officer, and police officers who were part of the investigations.

With Dr Edusei being the 13th witness, the prosecution is expected to close its case very soon.

Background

Major Mahama was killed at Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region on May 29, 2017.

He is said to have been lynched as he went on a morning walk that led him to Denkyira Obuasi.

Fourteen people, including William Baah, a former Assembly Member for Denkyira Obuasi, are standing trial in connection with the death of the military officer.

The rest are Bernard Asamoah alias Daddy; Kofi Nyarko aka Abortion; Akwasi Baah; Kwame Tuffour; Joseph Appiah Kubi; Michael Anim, Bismarck Donkor, John Bosie; Akwasi Baah; Charles Kwaning; Emmanuel Badu; Bismarck Abanga and Kwadwo Anima.

They have all pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from murder, abetment to murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh