BENIAKO AND ANOTHER v THE REPUBLIC [1995-96] 1 GLR 32-45

Criminal law and procedure—Murder—Manslaughter—Reduction to manslaughter—Jury disagreeing on verdict of murder—Jury returning majority verdict of manslaughter—Whether verdict lawful—Courts Ordinance, Cap 10(1951 Rev), s 298(2)—Criminal Procedure Code, 1960 (Act 30), s 285(4).

Criminal law and procedure—Jury trial—Inability to agree—Direction to jury—Murder trial—Foreman informing judge that verdict majority one—Declaration of foreman ambiguous—Judge giving jury further direction on majority verdict—Jury thereafter finding appellants guilty of manslaughter—Whether verdict lawful.