Lack of evidence leads to acquittal in Swiss national murder

Colombo, Sept. 14 (Daily Mirror) - The Tangalle High Court acquitted an accused in the murder case of Swiss national Hans Radeloff, who was found dead at his home in Seenimodara in 2004.

The Attorney General had indicted Kalawilage Pathirage Piyal Wickramarathna, a former gardener and employee of the deceased. The prosecution’s case was based entirely on circumstantial evidence. 

During the trial, it was revealed that the accused had resigned from his position a year prior to the incident and no evidence of animosity between him and Radeloff was presented.

The court also noted that the residence was equipped with extensive security measures, including a parapet wall and electric fencing. Furthermore, the police identification process was called into question after it was disclosed that investigation officers had shown the accused to witnesses prior to the formal identification parade, rendering this evidence unreliable.

Due to the absence of a clear motive and the insufficiency of circumstantial evidence, the court concluded that the prosecution had failed to prove the case beyond any reasonable doubts. The High Court judge emphasised that a conviction could not be sustained solely on the evidence presented by the prosecution.

Senior Counsel Darshana Kuruppu, along with Pradeep Rajapakshe appeared for the accused.