Gbassay Mansaray, an 18-year old mother, allegedly killed her one-year old son and threw the body into the ocean at Yams Farm, Western rural area. Mansaray was arrested and charged to Court on Tuesday 22 August 2017.
The accused made her first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura on 17 October 2017 to answer to murder allegations.
According to police witness during preliminary investigations, the accused confessed to the offence pointing out that she was not in a correct state of mind at the time she committed the offence.
In her statement to the police, the accused further told the police that she was frustrated as the father of the child has abandoned her and the baby since she became pregnant.
In defence, the lawyer I.P. Mamie said the accused had post traumatic disorder. A medical test was carried out by the psychiatrist specialist, Dr. Edward Nahim to ascertain the accused person’s mental state.
The medical findings reported that the accused had shown no sign of madness but hinged her actions on frustration. Four prosecution witnesses testified against the accused persons.
After the testimonies of four prosecution witnesses, Magistrate Bangura on Monday 25 June 2018 committed the matter to the High Court.
SV/25/6/18
By Sylvia Villa
Tuesday June 26, 2018.