The High Court in Accra has fixed February 24, 2026, for the Jury to decide the fate of Richard Appiah, who is standing trial for allegedly killing two minors and keeping the dismembered body parts of one of them in a refrigerator at Abesim near Sunyani.
This was after Appiah, 28, a draughtsman and a footballer, had closed his defence, after testifying personally, called his father and a psychiatrist as his witnesses.
Appiah is facing two counts of murder and had pleaded not guilty, while the prosecution had paraded six witnesses, including the parents of the victims, to prove their case.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case upon the conclusion of cross-examination of their witnesses by the defence, the court said there is a case for the accused to answer.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026 the accused person, after concluding his cross-examination from the prosecution, called a police psychiatrist who examined his mental health when he was initially arrested.
His lawyers – led by Faustinus Yirilabuo – are making a case of insanity (to say that the accused was not mentally stable when the incident happened).
Prosecution, led by Nana Ama Adinkra, a Senior State Attorney, had called its first witness on May 26, 2025, to commence the trial.
Appiah had pleaded not guilty before the High Court for allegedly killing two minors, namely Louis Agyemang, 12, and Stephen Sarpong, 15.
The prosecution had relied on documents listed in the summary of evidence attached to the bill of indictment filed on May 31, 2023.
These documents include investigation cautioned statements of the accused person dated August 21, 2021, further investigation cautioned statements of the accused dated August 23, 2021, and September 10, 2021.
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The prosecution also relied on the autopsy reports of Stephen Sarpong and Louis Agyemang Jnr. dated December 16, 2022, and May 25, 2023, respectively.
Additionally, photographs of the deceased parts of Stephen Sarpong, partially burnt clothes, slippers, and photographs of the clothes of the deceased Stephen Sarpong were also relied on.
Furthermore, photographs of a double-door fridge of the accused containing body parts of the deceased Stephen Sarpong and a charge statement of the accused dated November 10, 2022, were also relied on.
The trial judge, Justice Ruby Aryeetey, has since directed the prosecution and the defence to file the closing written submissions simultaneously on February 20, 2026.
The case would be recalled on February 24, 2026, for the parties to address the Jury orally, then after, the Court will sum up the trial and the Jury will retire, deliberate on the issues, and return their verdict.
According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, the verdict of the seven-member Jury would be binding on the Court.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
