February 17, 2016 By Victoria Saffa
Fifth prosecution witness, Detective Police Constable (DPC) Ibrahim Kamara, yesterday stated in court that he did not take photographs at the scene of crime.
He was testifying in a preliminary murder investigation presided over by Magistrate Mohamed Seray-Wurie at the Ross Road Magistrates’ Court No.1.
The accused is one Sheriff Dainkeh, who is alleged to have murdered his victim, Alhaji Yusif Fofanah. He faces one count of murder contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
The witness identified himself as a police officer at the Kissy Police Division, with his duty as Scene of Crime Officer being to take photographs of crime scenes.
He said he recalled on 15 December, 2015 when he and DPC Coker J.R. witnessed an autopsy examination on the remains of a murder victim at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown, which was conducted by pathologist Dr. Owizz Koroma.
“I took photographs with my digital camera at the scene where the autopsy was done and on the 16 December, 2015 I took the memory card at a PZ photo studio and I selected the said photos, which were printed. Since then the photos have been in my custody,” he said and tendered the pictures as Exhibit C1-16.
While being cross-examined by defence lawyer Brima Koroma, the witnessed admitted the scene of the alleged crime was at Railway Line in Portee, east of Freetown, but that he had not gone there on the day of the incident to take photographs.
The accused is alleged to have murdered his victim on 9 December, 2015 at No.15A Old Railway Line, Portee, east of Freetown.
The matter is prosecuted by Inspector Minkailu Osman Bangura.
Magistrate Seray-Wurie adjourned the matter until 23 February for further hearing.