Kasoa Teen Murder Trial: Juror Dodges Fine, Case Adjourned

A juror in the Kasoa murder trial of two teenagers accused of killing an 11-year-old boy in 2021 avoided a GH₵1,200 fine for failing to appear in court.

The other six jurors voluntarily chose to forfeit their allowances for the day, allowing him to escape the penalty.

Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, presiding over the case as an additional High Court Judge, expressed frustration when informed that the absent juror had been out of the jurisdiction since the legal vacation.

She noted that prior communication suggested all jurors would be available for the scheduled judgment.

Despite the foreman’s attempts to clarify the situation, Justice Marfo remained unsatisfied and initially imposed the fine, stating that jurors could not simply choose not to show up without a valid reason.

However, after a plea from Samuel Atuah, counsel for one of the accused, the court reconsidered. Atuah argued that a fine could discourage the juror from attending future sessions, ultimately jeopardizing the trial.

Justice Marfo made it clear that, while she had the authority to issue a bench warrant for the juror’s arrest, she would waive the fine on the condition that the other jurors forfeit their sitting and transportation allowances in solidarity.

They agreed, and the court officially ordered the waiver.

The trial is set to resume on October 24, 2024, for further deliberation before the jurors reach a verdict.