Insufficient Evidence Leads to Release of Three Men Accused of Murder in Malawi
Three men were discharged in Ntchisi, Malawi, over a murder charge due to insufficient evidence. The victim, Joseph Edward Banda, was found dead after a night of drinking. Witness testimonies were insufficient to secure a conviction, leading to the men’s release following nearly two years of incarceration.
Three individuals, Josephy Gladwell Master, Yohane Petro, and Paul Francisco, have been released in Ntchisi district following a murder charge due to a lack of sufficient evidence. The charge stemmed from the death of 63-year-old Joseph Edward Banda, whose body was discovered in a maize field with multiple stab wounds after a night of drinking in June 2023.
After the police investigation, the three men were arrested based on witness accounts that placed them at the scene of the crime. However, the absence of direct evidence linking them to the murder led to their extended custody at Ntchisi Prison while awaiting trial. They denied the charges throughout the proceedings.
Legal representation was provided by Senior Legal Aid Advocates Jacqueline Nthaniko and Chanju Kondowe, facilitated by the Legal Aid Bureau. Testimonies included a key witness who reported seeing Banda, inebriated, on June 2, 2023, and noted encounters with the defendants headed in his direction.
After a meticulous case review, the State concluded that the evidence was insufficient for a successful prosecution, resulting in the discontinuation of the case against the accused. Thus, the men were discharged from custody, having spent nearly two years imprisoned without a conviction.
In conclusion, insufficient evidence has led to the discharge of Josephy Gladwell Master, Yohane Petro, and Paul Francisco in the murder case of Joseph Edward Banda. Although placed at the scene through witness accounts, the lack of direct evidence prompted the State to discontinue the case, ultimately resulting in the release of the accused after almost two years in custody.
Original Source: malawi24.com
