Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The murder trial of Arona Tine, accused of fatally stabbing a forex bureau employee in Westfield, resumed on Monday before Justice Jaiteh with a tense cross-examination that revisited crucial details of the alleged crime and the defendant’s police statements.

Tine is charged with the murder of 25-year-old Fatoumatta Kargbo, who the prosecution alleges was stabbed in the chest on January 19, 2024, leading to her death. He has pleaded not guilty.

During cross-examination, Tine faced pointed questions about his medical condition at the time of his arrest, his recorded police statements, and whether he had confessed to the crime.

“You told us you were discharged from the hospital before your statement was taken,” counsel reminded him.

“I was discharged in the morning, and I gave my statement the following day,” Tine replied.

He admitted to having injuries but explained, “The wounds on my body were treated at the hospital, but the ones on my arms were sustained after the incident.”

When pressed on whether he had inflicted those injuries on himself, defense counsel Ade objected to the use of the word “murder,” arguing that it was a legal conclusion reserved for the court.

However, Justice Jaiteh overruled the objection, noting that the term had already been used in Tine’s voluntary statement.

“You stated you hurt yourself after murdering the deceased in your statement,” counsel pressed.

Tine countered, “When they brought me to the CID office, they didn’t ask me about that.”

He reiterated claims that he had asked for legal representation and medication during questioning but was denied both. “I asked for a call to bring in a lawyer, but they refused,” he said.

When asked if he had made any formal complaints to the police or hospital regarding his treatment, Tine said he was not given pen or paper to write them down. Asked for a clear answer, he added, “When I went to the magistrate…”

He also claimed that his handcuffs were so tight they left permanent marks. “I still have the marks,” he told the court. Asked whether he reported this to a doctor, Tine explained that after being discharged from Banjul Hospital, he was transferred to Serrekunda Hospital and was never returned to Banjul despite his requests.

The court also recalled testimony from the officer who recorded Tine’s statement, who had previously told the court that Tine showed no visible injuries, was aware of his rights, and was not under duress. Tine strongly rejected that account: “He knows that when he was taking my statement, I had undergone surgery.”

Asked directly whether he believed the officers had lied under oath, Tine responded, “What they said about me is not true.”

Counsel then questioned how personal details known only to Tine appeared in the statement if he hadn’t provided it.

“I refused to give a statement because I couldn’t at that time,” he replied.

The courtroom grew more tense when counsel reminded Tine, “You are here to answer questions, not ask them.”

“But what you are saying, I don’t know,” Tine shot back.

Tine repeatedly denied that the statement presented in court was his, insisting, “That person did not come to me for a statement and was not the person talking about a statement.”

Justice Jaiteh adjourned the trial to October 14, 2025, at 12 p.m. for the continuation of the cross-examination.

Tine remains on trial for the killing of Ms. Kargbo, with the prosecution alleging premeditation. The defense continues to challenge the evidence and the circumstances under which Tine’s police statements were obtained.