Daniel Asiedu, popularly known as “Sexy Don-Don,” will be retried in the murder case of Joseph Boakye Danquah Adu, the late Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North.
The retrial comes after a seven-member jury failed to reach a unanimous judgment on the robbery and murder counts, returning a 4-3 split verdict.
In accordance with Section 285(4) of the Criminal and Other Offenses (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), Justice Lydia Osei Marfo dismissed the jury following the verdict, which was delivered on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
The judge ordered a retrial to address any remaining issues in the case, citing the inconclusive ruling.
Asiedu is still being held, and his next court date is set for December 20, 2024.
Background:
The late MP was allegedly attacked in his home in East Legon, Accra, on February 9, 2016, which is when the lawsuit began.
Prosecutors claim that Asiedu used a ladder to enter the MP’s room, fatally stabbed him several times in the neck and chest, and then ran away with three cell phones.
Asiedu has repeatedly entered not guilty pleas to robbery and murder accusations since his arrest after police investigations.
His defense team has insisted that there is insufficient evidence in the prosecution’s case to establish his guilt and that he is innocent.
Trial:
The MP’s driver, security guard, neighbors, a pathologist, a DNA analyst, and an investigator were among the eight witnesses who provided testimony to the prosecution, which was led by Principal State Attorney Mrs. Sefakor Batse.
DNA evidence, the accused’s purported confession, and allegations that he was connected to the stolen phones all backed up their statements.
Mrs. Batse urged the jury to find Asiedu guilty on both charges, calling him “unrepentant,” and claimed that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt in her closing statements.
The prosecution’s story was contested by the defense, lead by Rev. Yaw Dankwa, who pointed out contradictions in the forensic evidence and witness statements.
Dankwa questioned the validity of the DNA analysis and criticized the absence of forensic testing on important items, including the purported murder weapon.
Additionally, he contended that the jury was not given enough proof to find Asiedu guilty and that the true criminals were still at large.
Source: newsthemegh.com