PANJIM: Final arguments in British teenager Scarlett Keeling’s death case began on Wednesday and will continue till Friday. Scarlett’s mother, Fiona Mackeown, who has flown to Goa for the final hearing, hoped that the judgment will be pronounced next week.
CBI Special Public Prosecutor Izaj Khan and Defence Lawyer Marvin D’Souza on Wednesday argued before the Children’s Court. Samson D’Souza and Placido Carvalho are facing trial for drugging, sexually abusing and leaving Scarlett to die on Anjuna beach in 2008.
Adv D’Souza, defending the accused claimed that the investigations had been marred by a high pressured diplomatic and media trial and what should have been a normal death by drowning has been turned into a high profile case.
He submitted that the “death of Scarlett was caused by external forces and not due to the accused.”
Even as the defence claimed contradictions in the statements by witnesses when the case was moved from Goa Police to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Khan argued that the statement by the witnesses remained unchanged even as the central agency (CBI) started fresh investigation into the offence.
Khan argued that the injury marks on Scarlett’s body were evidence that she had a scuffle with Samson, who was then working on the beach shack, near which her body was found.
The Defence Counsel defended that the injuries could have been the result of external injuries while shifting the body from accident site (beach) to the hospital.
Arguments will continue on Thursday morning as the Judge pronounced that the case would be heard till Friday.
After taking over the case from the State Police, CBI had filed the charge-sheet against Samson and Placido. Scarlett’s bruised and semi nude corpse was found on Anjuna beach, following which the police had claimed it to be a case of drowning, but later registered it as culpable homicide after the second autopsy by doctors from Goa Medical College and Hospital.
Scarlett’s mother who sat throughout the arguments in the Court said it is time for her to see the final arguments conclude.
“If it is extended by a week, it is fine, but if it is extended by a month, then I would be a bit disturbed. I would like to see it conclude as the final arguments are likely to be finished in three days,” she told the media outside the court.
