CONDEMNED PRISONER DIES BEFORE HIS DEATH (PAGE 27, AUGUST 14, 2010)

From George Ernest Asare, Kumasi.

Just a day after a 25-year-old man was slapped with the  death sentence by a seven- man jury at a Kumasi High court, he collapsed and died at the Kumasi Central Prison where he was awaiting his fate.
Tambla Frafra, who was sentenced to death by hanging on July 29, 2010, was found writhing in pains in his cells  and died before he could receive medical support.
After almost one and half year trial by the  court, presided over by Justice Jacob Boon, on a charge of murder, the jury pronounced a verdict of guilty  on Tambla.
This was after the judge had given the facts of the case and  also summarised the facts presented by the five witnesses called to  help the court in adjudicating the case.
Tambla was found guilty for murdering his half brother, Yaabah Zah,  23 , on March 27, 2009.
He was charged with murder for assaulting his half brother, whom he lived with in an uncompleted building at Old Tafo by hitting his head with a piece of wood and block, causing severe injuries,  resulting in his death on the spot.
He was arrested by members of the family and handed over to the police to assist in their investigations.
Tambla Frafra was charged with murder after the completion of police investigations which started on March 2009.
Presenting the facts before the court, a Senior State Attorney, Mr Richmond Osei Hwere, said Tambla and his late half brother, stayed in an uncompleted structure at  Old Tafo in Kumasi.
He said on March 27, 2009, a misunderstanding ensued between the two which led to a fight.
He said the two combatants were separated by sympathisers , but late in the day, a quarrel arose again, and in the cause of the fight, Tambla took a piece of wood and hit the head of the half brother repeatedly.
He said, not satisfied with his action, Tambla again took a block and smashed it on the head of the brother, causing severe injuries and making him bleed profusely.
He said police went to the scene and retrieved the piece of wood and block used in assaulting the brother.
He said, in his statement, Tambla confessed assaulting his half brother and an autopsy report indicated that Zah’s  death was as a result of  excessive bleeding sustained from the head injuries.