Pathologist Testifies in Fatal Teen Assault Trial
A government forensic pathologist delivered detailed medical testimony regarding the fatal injuries sustained by 17-year-old Tujah Sesay during the murder trial of Tommy Alusine, also known as Alhaji.
Testifying before the court, Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma, Chief Medical Examiner and Government Chief Forensic Pathologist, outlined the findings of a post-mortem examination conducted at the Connaught Teaching Hospital Complex mortuary on July 26, 2024. According to Dr. Koroma, the victim suffered extensive trauma to the head, spine, and neck following an alleged assault on July 23, 2024.
Alusine stands accused of murder under Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2022. The defendant has pleaded not guilty, and the charge remains subject to judicial determination.
Dr. Koroma informed the court that medical evidence indicates the victim was assaulted at approximately 10:50 p.m. and succumbed to her injuries within minutes.
The physical examination documented severe external trauma, including a substantial haematoma on the right side of the head, oral and nasal haemorrhaging, facial contusions, and fingernail excoriations along a visibly swollen neck. Defensive wounds were also recorded on the victim's hands and forearms.
Internal findings revealed a 26-centimetre skull fracture accompanied by massive intracranial bleeding, complete dislocation and severe fractures along the spinal column, and extensive fractures of the laryngeal, cricoid, and thyroid cartilages and hyoid bone.
Dr. Koroma concluded that the primary causes of death were massive intracerebral haemorrhage, neurogenic shock secondary to spinal injury, and asphyxia resulting from manual strangulation. The death was officially classified as homicidal.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel C. Taylor Young of the Legal Aid Board, Dr. Koroma clarified that physical medical examinations alone cannot determine the number of individuals involved in an assault, noting that forensic DNA analysis had not been requested or performed in this matter.
Proceedings have been adjourned to November 9, 2026, for further evidence.
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