The trial commencement date for Richard Appiah, the accused draughtsman charged with killing two minors and storing their bodies in a refrigerator at Abesim near Sunyani, has been scheduled for March 14, 2024.
Appiah, identified as a footballer as well, had previously entered a plea of not guilty before the High Court in Accra, where he faces two counts of murder for the deaths of Louis Agyemang, 12, and Stephen Sarpong, 15.
During the Case Management Conference (CMC) on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, the trial’s commencement date was fixed.
Nana Ama Adinkra, a Senior State Attorney, stated during the CMC that the prosecution would rely on various documents, including investigation caution statements, autopsy reports, and photographs of relevant evidence.
The prosecution’s reliance includes investigation caution statements from the accused, autopsy reports for the victims, photographs of body parts and burnt items, and a charge statement from the accused.
The disclosure also contains written and witness statements.
The lawyer for the accused, Faustinus Yirilabuo, acknowledged receiving the disclosures, and Justice Ruby Aryeetey directed the prosecution to call their first witness on March 14, 2024. The accused is set to face a jury trial.