By: Audrey Raymonda John
Milton Charles Turay, a 25-year-old pupil, appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on a single count of murder.
The charge alleges that on Saturday, 9th August 2025, at Grassfields Tokeh in the Western Area of Freetown, Turay murdered James Koroma. The offence is contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the schedule of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021 (Act No.6 of 2022).
After the charge was read and explained to the defendant, no plea was taken. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh presented the case for the prosecution. The first witness, Sergeant 9832 Edison Issa of the Criminal Investigation Department at Adonkia Police Station, testified.
Sergeant Issa stated that he recognizes both the complainant and the defendant. He recalled that on 9th August 2025, while on duty, the complainant, Abu Turay, reported a murder case against the defendant concerning his younger brother, the late James Koroma, aged 24.
The matter was assigned to Sergeant Issa for investigation. His actions included taking the corpse to the 34 Military Hospital for a post-mortem examination on the same day. Obtaining a statement from the complainant, Abu Turay, which was produced and tendered in court as evidence. Obtaining a statement from a witness, Alpha Tholley, on 10th August 2025.
Sergeant Issa further testified that the defendant was arrested and brought to the station on 11th August 2025. On that same date, together with DPC 19074 Kamara A.B., he obtained a caution statement from the defendant.
The procedure was as follows: the defendant was cautioned and questioned in the Krio language, and his statement was recorded in English. Upon completion, the statement was read back and explained to him. The defendant admitted it was true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint, which was witnessed by the investigators. This statement was also produced and tendered in court.
Regarding the post-mortem, on 13th August 2025, and in the presence of the SOCO officer, DPC Johannes, who witnessed the examination, the certificate of cause of death was prepared by medical expert Dr. Owiz Koroma. This certificate was produced as evidence.
On 14th August 2025, the investigation file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. The file was returned with advice on 5th September 2025, leading to the defendant being charged with murder.
Sergeant Issa also confirmed receiving one stainless steel knife with a label and two stars without a handle as evidence. The item was handed over to exhibit officer DPC 13171 Bockarie M. for safe custody.
The witness was cross-examined by the defendant.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offence. The matter was adjourned to 6th October 2025 for further hearing.