Kasoa murder: 7 Member jury for trial of teenage suspects

The Criminal Jurisdiction of the Accra High Court has empanelled a seven-member jury for the trial of two teenagers accused of the murder of a 10-year-old boy in Kasoa for money rituals.

That was after the court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, took the pleas of the teenagers, a 15-year-old boy (name withheld) and his alleged accomplice, who is 18 years old.

The jury is made up of five women and two men.

The two suspects objected to the inclusion of three persons from the pool of potential jurors before settling on the seven.

Not guilty

While the 15-year-old suspect has confessed to their involvement in the murder from the District Court, the 18-year-old suspect has, however, denied his involvement.

However, taking their pleas on charges of conspiracy and murder before the trial court last Tuesday, the 15-year-old suspect pleaded guilty to the charge or conspiracy but pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.

The 18-year-old suspect on the other hand pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The court, however, entered a plea of not guilty for the 15-year-old suspect.

That was because the offence was conspiracy to murder and as a result, had to be tried by the jury.

The charges were read to them in their preferred local languages