Trial Of "Serial Killer" Suspended

An Accra High Court has suspended the trial of Charles Quansah, a self-confessed serial killer because of what it describes as “unfair media interference in the matter.” The Presiding Judge, Justice Agnes Dordzie says the court will only continue with the trial if the National Media Commission and the Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs intervene and bring the media reportage in line with acceptable court reporting procedures.

According to the court, the public, through phone in programmes on radio stations have launched attacks on the defence counsel and have already taken sides in the trial of the accused person. This, it said would jeopardise the trial of the case and mar the due process of law.

Mrs Dordzie said as much as the courts were established to punish the perpetrators of crimes, it behoves on the public to stay away from commenting on the matters pending before courts.

Mr Joseph O. Amui, defence counsel, who made his first appearance in court, expressed his appreciation to the court for the action it had taken. Mr. Amui who was appointed by the Legal Aid Board to defend the serial killer on the insistence of the court was disgusted at copies of calendars with photographs of his client being sold on the market.

The court demanded that a copy of the calendar should be made available to it and consequently adjourned to May 21. Quansah is alleged to have confessed to the killing eight women in Accra and Kumasi. Submitted on May 07 by esi | Read 336 times

An Accra High Court has suspended the trial of Charles Quansah, a self-confessed serial killer because of what it describes as “unfair media interference in the matter.” The Presiding Judge, Justice Agnes Dordzie says the court will only continue with the trial if the National Media Commission and the Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs intervene and bring the media reportage in line with acceptable court reporting procedures.

According to the court, the public, through phone in programmes on radio stations have launched attacks on the defence counsel and have already taken sides in the trial of the accused person. This, it said would jeopardise the trial of the case and mar the due process of law.

Mrs Dordzie said as much as the courts were established to punish the perpetrators of crimes, it behoves on the public to stay away from commenting on the matters pending before courts.

Mr Joseph O. Amui, defence counsel, who made his first appearance in court, expressed his appreciation to the court for the action it had taken. Mr. Amui who was appointed by the Legal Aid Board to defend the serial killer on the insistence of the court was disgusted at copies of calendars with photographs of his client being sold on the market.

The court demanded that a copy of the calendar should be made available to it and consequently adjourned to May 21. Quansah is alleged to have confessed to the killing eight women in Accra and Kumasi.