The defense team of Private Yak Garang Yak who is accused of killing 3 Syrians and a local in Akon in Gogrial West County in Warrap State in January on Friday, rejected photographic evidence presented in court by the prosecution, saying it was not substantial.
During the hearing, the prosecution presented three witnesses before the court including Malong Lual Bol, a senior military officer in Akon who was the first informant to the crime, Abdallah Raham Azfi, a brother to the three Syrians and Deng Malong Malual, an uncle to the 18-year-old South Sudanese boy who was killed.
The prosecution also presented some pictures of the home where the crime was committed, photos of the victims, and the vehicle the suspect used to flee the crime scene but the defense team led by Maj. William Johnson Dut rejected the photos saying they do not explain exactly that it was a crime scene.
Dut requested the court to allow the accused to be sent for a medical examination to determine his mental status as the first informant told the court that the accused had a drinking problem. He also requested the court to present the gun used in committing the crime in the next hearing scheduled for 22 February.
The prosecution team led by Lt. Col. Andrew Yak Nyok, however, requested the court to give them two weeks to produce three more witnesses including two from Akon and a Syrian who survived.
After lengthy deliberations, Maj. Gen. Majok Michael Chan, the President of the General Court Martial, gave the defense team one week to produce the witnesses before the court on Wednesday next week.
Speaking to journalists after the court session, SSPDF Spokesperson Gen. Lul Ruai Kong said the prosecution team had made progress after being facilitated by the army headquarters to gather statements from three witnesses on the ground.
“The prosecution team was able to go to Warrap State and took statements from three witnesses,” he said. “The good thing is that two of the commanding officers, a sergeant, and a Lieutenant, of the prime suspect, were brought to Juba.”