The High Court in Accra has fixed February 24, 2026, for the seven-member jury to determine the fate of Richard Appiah, who is standing trial for the alleged murder of two minors and the storage of dismembered body parts of one of the victims in a refrigerator at Abesim, near Sunyani.
The date was set after the defence formally closed its case. Appiah, a 28-year-old draughtsman and footballer, testified in his own defence and called two witnesses—his father and a psychiatrist.
Earlier, following cross-examination of prosecution witnesses, the court ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, requiring the accused to open his defence.
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On January 20, 2026, the defence called a police psychiatrist who had examined Appiah shortly after his arrest.
Counsel for the accused, led by Faustinus Yirilabuo, is advancing a defence of insanity, arguing that Appiah was not mentally sound at the time the alleged offences were committed.
The prosecution, led by Nana Ama Adinkra, began presenting its case on May 26, 2025. The state alleges that Appiah killed Louis Agyemang, aged 12, and Stephen Sarpong, aged 15.
In support of its case, the prosecution relied on documents attached to the bill of indictment filed on May 31, 2023.
These included multiple cautioned statements taken from the accused between August and September 2021, autopsy reports on both victims, photographs of the deceased, partially burnt clothing, slippers, and images of a double-door refrigerator allegedly containing body parts of Stephen Sarpong.
A charge statement dated November 10, 2022, was also tendered.
Presiding judge Justice Ruby Aryeetey has directed both the prosecution and defence to file their closing written submissions simultaneously by February 20, 2026.
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The matter will be recalled on February 24, when counsel will address the jury orally before the court sums up the case and the jury retires to deliver a binding verdict.