The trial of Richard Appiah, the man accused of the gruesome murders of two boys in Abesim, is moving forward as prosecutors prepare to call their first witness on June 3. Appiah, who previously worked as a draughtsman, stands accused of committing the killings and allegedly storing parts of the victims’ remains in a refrigerator.
This chilling case, which gripped the Bono Region in 2021, is being heard by the Accra High Court with a seven-member jury. The court recently concluded its Case Management Conference, setting the stage for witness testimonies to begin.
Appiah has entered a not guilty plea to two counts of murder. The prosecution plans to present eight witnesses, backed by material evidence including autopsy reports, photographs of the victims, and images showing the inside of the refrigerator where human remains were allegedly discovered.
During jury selection, the accused rejected three potential jurors, expressing a preference for a balanced panel in terms of gender. The court proceeded with opening addresses from both the prosecution and the defense.
As part of its strategy, the prosecution will rely on a detailed bill of indictment. The evidence package includes charred clothing items and documented witness accounts expected to link the accused directly to the crime.
However, the defense is challenging the narrative. While acknowledging the presence of the corpses in Appiah’s room, counsel insists that this alone does not prove he was responsible for the killings. Furthermore, the defense is raising mental health concerns, claiming the accused suffers from schizophrenia, which could affect his understanding of his actions.
The court has instructed the jury to disregard any information outside of the courtroom and focus solely on the evidence that will be presented during the trial.
Richard Appiah is facing trial for the alleged murder of Louis Agyeman and Stephen Sarpong, a case that has shocked the nation and is now entering a crucial phase.
