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A 59-year-old man who, out of jealousy, murdered his girlfriend at
Atwima Techiman was yesterday sentenced to death by hanging by a
Kumasi High Court.
The convict, Stephen Owusu Afriyie, stabbed Akua Frimpongmaa, on the neck
many times after the mother of two had broken up with him and went for another
man, after discovering that she was in the earlier relation with a
family member.
Afriyie also stabbed his rival, Kwaku Ofori, a tipper truck driver, on
his back, the left
arm and in the chest in an attempt to kill him. But Ofori survived.
Although Afriyie pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and murder, the seven-
member jury pronounced him guilty after a full trial.
The presiding judge, Mr Justice Edward K.B.
Apenkwah, sentenced him to 10 years on the first count and to death by
hanging on
the second count of murder.
Facts
The court had heard that the convict and the deceased lived together in the same
house belonging to her elder brother.
According to the prosecution, although the two were said to be
related, they were in a secret amorous relationship.
When news of their relationship got to the
attention of Frimpongmaa's elder brother, he cautioned them to stop it
as it would
amount to incest.
Although the two initially denied the relationship, Frimpongmaa later confessed
to her brother, broke up with Afriyie and got into a new relationship with Kwaku
Ofori, a resident of Sefwi Wiawso.
Around 10:30 p.m. on January 7, 2013, Ofori, who had gone to visit
Frimpongmaa at Atwima Techiman, went to take his
bath and entered Frimpongmaa's room where he was to spend the night.
Attacks
Afriyie, who had then returned from work and was drunk, barged into the room
armed with a knife and tried to stab Ofori. Ofori used his left arm to
parry the knife and Afriyie struck a second time, hitting
Ofori's chest. As Ofori was escaping from the attack, Afriyie further
stabbed him
at the back.
According to the prosecution, Ofori managed to escape from the scene
and Afriyie turned his rage on Frimpongmaa, stabbing her several times
on the neck.
After the act, the convict went into his room, which was close to the
deceased's,
and locked himself in.
He was later apprehended and handed over to the police.
Credit: Graphic Online
