Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – In the ongoing trial concerning the alleged murder of Fatoumatta Kargbo, Abdoulie Sillah, the fourth prosecution witness (PW4), provided a detailed account of the incident before Justice E. Jaiteh at the High Court. Sillah testified that the accused, Arona Tine, stabbed himself in the neck during the chaotic moments following the alleged crime.
Recalling the events, Sillah stated that the incident occurred on a Friday at Westfield, near Alhivag Supermarket. During his testimony, he vividly described how he observed Tine holding a knife and standing approximately two meters away from the victim.
“When I turned and faced him, I asked him what led to this? He did not respond. He was holding the knife, breathing heavily like an angry person. However, he stepped back two feet from the bureau and stabbed himself in the upper part of his chest,” Sillah recounted.
Sillah explained that he was at Alhivag Supermarket for a business meeting with the manager when he heard people shouting. Upon inquiry, he was informed that a young lady had been stabbed. Rushing out, he saw Fatoumatta Kargbo on the ground, bleeding. He provided her with an orange towel to cover her wound while noticing Tine standing nearby.
State Counsel A. Gibba questioned Sillah about his observations following the incident. Sillah reiterated that he saw the accused holding a knife and, upon asking Tine what happened, received no response before Tine stabbed himself.
Sillah also detailed his actions to secure the scene, including closing the sliding glass and holding the barricade until the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers arrived. He cautioned the officers about Tine’s apparent intent to harm himself further.
During cross-examination, Defense Counsel O. Susso questioned Sillah about the sequence of events and his knowledge of the stabbing. Sillah clarified that he did not witness who initially stabbed whom but saw Tine holding the knife.
Counsel Susso also highlighted that Tine did not attempt to flee, a point Sillah confirmed. However, Sillah noted that local workers from nearby shops wanted to attack Tine, but he intervened to prevent it.
State Counsel Gibba’s re-examination included a question about Tine’s ability to run, to which Sillah responded affirmatively. Despite an objection from Defense Counsel Susso, Justice Jaiteh allowed the question, ruling it relevant to the cross-examination.
The case has been adjourned until July 1, 2024.
