By Omar Bah
Police prosecution witness CID Landing Jallow testified in the West Field murder trial at the Banjul High Court that the accused person, Arona Tine, a Senegalese electrician, attempted suicide after stabbing his victim, Fatoumata Kargbo, at a Forex Bureau in Westfield, Kanifing Municipality, a few months ago.
CID Jallow, who works at the Serekunda West Station, testified as the sixth witness. He recounted being informed of the accused’s admission to the Ndemban Clinic. Upon arrival at the clinic, Jallow found the accused, Arona Tine, lying in the hospital. Jallow talked with Tine, who identified as Arona Tine from Wulinkama and a Senegalese electrician. Tine inquired about Fatoumata Kargbo, but Jallow did not disclose anything due to the situation. Tine then explained that he stabbed himself because he thought Kargbo was dead. Moreover, he mentioned leaving his money bag at the Bureau de Change, containing 110,000 CFA, and wanting to transfer 100,000 CFA to Senegal. Jallow suspended the questioning due to Tine’s condition but informed him that the bag was in his possession, although it did not contain such a large amount.
After Tine was discharged from the hospital, an interaction occurred at the Serekunda West Station with Divisional Crime Officer (D.C.O) Sonko and an independent witness, Ebrima Janneh, a Justice of Peace (JP). Detective Sergeant Jallow read the cautionary wording to Tine, interpreting it in Wolof, and obtained a cautionary statement from him. The statement was returned to Tine for confirmation, and they got it thumb printed.
The case was adjourned to October 7 for cross-examination.
