In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the trial court's acquittal of the appellant in a murder case, setting aside the High Court's conviction. The case involved circumstantial evidence, including an unproven motive, irregularly conducted recovery of a firearm, and an inconclusive ballistic expert report. The Court held that when a trial court acquits an accused, a double presumption of innocence operates. The appellate court must be slow to reverse unless the trial court's view is demonstrably not possible. Here, the High Court erred by disregarding the trial court's assessment of witness credibility and the weaknesses in the prosecution's circumstantial chain. The appeal was allowed and the acquittal restored.
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