By Mohamed Foday Conteh
Justice John Bosco Allieu has sentenced Hassan Morray (an artist) alias Sani Med, 38, to life imprisonment for killing Sia Matu Yobah 85, on the 17th July 2017 at Old School in the Mountain Community of Freetown.
The State Prosecutor, Alberta Kargbo led in six witnesses the first a Disc Jockey (DJ) named Alusine at Kalleone Radio who informed the court that on the said date his attention was drawn to foul smell coming from Morray's room while he was at the DJ's studio. The witness told the court when he went to enquire about the odour, the convict refused to open his door. The DJ said that he later called on the police to intervene.
Inspector Mohamed Bah, the second prosecution witness, told the court that he was on duty on the said date when Alusine informed him about the incident. The evidence adduced by Inspector Bah later revealed that when they entered the room they found a decomposing body covered with a black blanket on a bed. The Police also told the court that Morray took them to the right part of the room but realised flies buzzing on the left side of the dark room. He said that was where they met the corpse lying with maggots on it.
According to the Police Morray had pleaded guilty to the said crime and told them he killed the old woman as a form of ritual. However, the convict later denied the report made by the Police. He instead asserted that the old lady had met him five days earlier asking him for medicine because she was ill. He said he gave her medicine which she took and she then went into his room to sleep. Morray said that he left her and returned shortly to found her swollen.
To that, he said that he took a knife and slit her throat and pressed her in order to reduce the swelling.
The sixth witness, State Pathologist, Simeon Owizz Koroma, informed the court that the old lady died as a result of acute hemorrhagic shock due to profuse bleeding. In simple terms, he said that the old lady bled to death.
Justice Allieu admonished the jurors to only consider the evidence in court and not to consider social media reports regarding the matter. The Judge also informed them that the guilt of the accused must be proven by the Prosecution beyond all reasonable doubts on the accusation against him.
The 11 man jury unanimously found Morray guilty of murdering the woman.
Justice Allieu based on the verdict by the jury, sentenced Morray to life imprisonment.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (13/09/21)
