Youthful exuberance influenced murder accused – defence attorney
Lebogang Mosikare | Wednesday April 6, 2022 09:16
Stating mitigatory factors in the matter of Neo Mosepele who allegedly murdered Patrick Sondano on August 26, 2017, at Sedie ward in Maun, attorney Morgan Moseki told Justice Bengbame Sechele the accused was aged just 18 when he committed the offence.
“The accused has also pleaded guilty to the offence, which is a sign of remorse on his part. The accused was also intoxicated when he committed the offence. We, therefore, pray that the court should have mercy on the accused when sentencing him. We pray that the court should also pass a sentence that will rehabilitate the accused although we are not downplaying the seriousness of the offence,” Moseki said.
The accused will come to court on April 13 for sentencing and was further remanded in custody. Prosecutor Ditshotlo Mpale represented the state in the matter.
Mosepele will finally find justice after his case was postponed last year in November on account of the state having no funds to transport the Investigating Officer (IO) who is based in Maun to come to Francistown for the continuation of the trial.
The move then irked Sechele who told the prosecution to make sure that the IO appears in court without fail because this was greatly prejudicing the accused who was in custody.
“The prosecution should tell the station commander of the police station where the IO is based to make sure that he finds money for the IO to appear in court as scheduled during the next court appearance without fail,” Sechele said then.
Meanwhile, a Zimbabwean man, Zibusiso Ngovekazi pleaded guilty to entering Botswana using an ungazetted point of entry and not guilty to raping a mentally unsound primary school girl in 2020 at Kgaphamadi location in Francistown.
The prosecutor Janet Mothowakgosi prayed with Magistrate Game Mooketsi to have the accused fingerprinted to confirm if he has previous convictions or not.