Gambia: Judge Rules In a “Trial Within a Trial” of Westfield Murder Case –

By: Isatou Sarr

The Banjul High Court, presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, yesterday ruled that the cautionary and voluntary statements given by accused Arona Tine to the police were admissible as evidence in the ongoing trial over the alleged murder of Fatoumatta Kargbo.

The ruling came after a voir dire—a trial within a trial—was conducted to determine whether the statements were given voluntarily. The defence argued that the statements were coerced, claiming that Tine had been…