Abdul Bangura yesterday pleaded guilty to one count charge of manslaughter. He made this plea before Justice Margai at the high court of Sierra Leone.
According to his file, the accused that was alleged to have killed Abass Kargbo was charged to court on the 4th of November 2011 and has been on remand to date. He was charged to court with one count of murder. However, after the testimony of the pathologist which states that the deceased death was natural, the charge was reduced to manslaughter.
Before the plea, the defence counsel, Cheryl Blake renewed her application for the discharge of the accused.
The judge, in his response, said the witness had already admitted before the court on two occasions that he had a fight with the deceased over a rubber kettle (cooler) used to perform ablution, adding that it was in the process that he used something to hit him.
The judge said on this ground, he is refusing to accept the application of the prosecution for discharge of the accused, stating that there is a degree of culpability as admitted by the accused.
He however noted that the prosecution has not done much in order to prosecute the matter. He said the period the accused has spent in the correctional centre will be considered when he prepares his sentence.
The matter was adjourned to Thursday 4th February for state prosecutor A.J.M Bockerie who was absent in court to reply to the application.
By Edna Smalle
Wednesday February 03, 2016
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