February 1, 2016 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
An accused person standing trial for manslaughter last Friday pleaded for forgiveness and apologised to relatives of the deceased.
Abdul Raka Tholley is standing trial for manslaughter at the Freetown High Court presided over by Justice Miatta Samba.
The accused was charged with the offence of manslaughter, with the prosecution alleging that he intentionally murdered one Mustapha Barrie on 16 March, 2014 although he claims his act was “unintentional”.
Prior to last Friday’s hearing, the accused changed his plea of “not guilty” to “guilty” apparently having been advised by his lawyer, Alvan Sesay from the Legal Aid Board not to waste the time of the court.
Sesay told the court that his client had informed him the act was unintentional, adding that the accused was a friend to the deceased.
In her response, Justice Samba said it was good the accused had changed his plea to “guilty” so as not to waste the time of the court, but noted that it would be best for relatives of the deceased to be present for them to witness the accused person’s plea of guilt.
Pleading to the relatives of the deceased for mercy, the accused said he knew the deceased and his relatives as they all lived in the same community, stating that he had never in his life time wounded anybody before the incident.
Justice Samba informed the deceased’s uncle, who was present in court, about the change of plea by the accused during the previous hearing.
In her plea of mitigation on behalf of the accused, defence counsel C. Blake from the Legal Aid Board pleaded that the Judge use her kindness to temper justice with mercy, reiterating that the accused had informed the court that his act was not intentional.
The matter continues on 9 February when the trial judge is expected to give her judgment.