James Kofi Addo Alias Kwame Adumatta V. The Queen (1954)

Appeals in Criminal Cases—Evidence of insanity received on appeal.

Facts

The appellant, for no reason, killed his wife. He testified that something came over him and he “ became like a crazy man “. The defence of insanity failed at the trial. Later the convict was certified insane, and the Court of Appeal decided to call the Psychiatrist Specialist, who testified that the convict suffered from insanity with epilepsy and must have been in a state of epileptic automatism when he killed his wife.

Held

Had this evidence been given at the trial the appellant would have been found guilty but insane.

Sentence quashed; order for detention as a criminal lunatic.

Appeal by person convicted of murder: No. 52/53.
Appellant in person.
Arpec Agi, Crown Counsel, for the Crown