Malawi: Insufficient Evidence Results in Discharge of Murder Accusations
Three men were discharged of murder charges in Malawi due to insufficient evidence. They were accused of killing Joseph Edward Banda, whose body was found in a maize field. Witness accounts initially linked them to the crime, but the State concluded it lacked enough evidence for a conviction, leading to their release after nearly two years in prison.
In Ntchisi district, three men, Josephy Gladwell Master, Yohane Petro, and Paul Francisco, have been discharged from murder charges due to insufficient evidence. The case stems from the murder of 63-year-old Joseph Edward Banda, who went missing after a drinking session in Kadzimete village in June 2023. His body was discovered the following day in a maize field with multiple stab wounds.
The police initiated an investigation leading to the arrests of the three suspects, who denied the murder charges. Although there was a lack of direct evidence linking them to the crime, witness testimony placed them near the scene. The suspects remained in custody at Ntchisi Prison while awaiting trial, assisted by the Legal Aid Bureau and represented by Senior Legal Aid Advocates Jacqueline Nthaniko and Chanju Kondowe.
A pivotal witness reported seeing Banda intoxicated the evening of June 2, 2023, and noted encounters with the three suspects heading in Banda’s direction. Upon meticulous examination of the case, the State concluded that there was not enough evidence for a conviction, ultimately discontinuing the case against the accused. Consequently, they were released after nearly two years in detention.
The discharge of Josephy Gladwell Master, Yohane Petro, and Paul Francisco highlights the importance of evidence in criminal proceedings. Despite witness testimonies placing them at the scene, the absence of direct evidence necessitated the cessation of the case, resulting in their release after a prolonged period in custody. This case illustrates the critical nature of substantive proof in achieving a just legal outcome.
Original Source: malawi24.com
