Thiès: Machete fight between roommates over toilets

A minor argument between roommates over the use of the toilet escalated into a violent fight, leaving one person seriously injured. Alpha and Aliou appeared before the Thiès court for flagrant offenses, charged with assault and battery and illegal possession of a weapon.

The main defendant, Alpha, admitted to injuring I. Diaw. However, he maintained that he acted in response to an attack. According to him, I. Diaw attacked him by surprise with a club and a machete. His co-defendant and friend, Aliou, is accused of participating in the assault. In court, he disputed this version of events.

“As we were walking home, focused on our phones, I. Diaw surprised us on the way with a machete and a club. He attacked Alpha. When I saw him coming, I told Alpha to be careful. He struck him with the machete before Alpha could retaliate,” he explained.

A broken leg and 45 days of incapacity

For his part, I. Diaw explained that Alpha's repeated insults had driven him to intimidate him. He admitted to attacking him with a machete, but using the blunt end of the weapon. "I didn't intend to hurt or kill him. He grabbed the machete and struck me violently in the leg, causing a fracture. He also hit me on the head with the machete," he stated in court. He added that he was hospitalized. His medical certificate indicates a broken leg and a 45-day period of temporary incapacity for work.

Against all expectations, I. Diaw eventually withdrew his complaint in court, requesting the acquittal of his roommates. He also asserted that Aliou had not participated in the fight.

The prosecutor is requesting a three-month prison sentence for Alpha.

In his closing arguments, the public prosecutor deemed the plaintiff's behavior reprehensible. He therefore requested Aliou's outright acquittal, considering that no evidence established his participation in the fight.

Regarding Alpha, he emphasized that the defendant had admitted to injuring I. Diaw. The material facts of the assault and battery are undeniable; the injuries were visible and their severity confirmed by a 45-day period of incapacity for work.

The prosecutor acknowledged the existence of an imminent attack by I. Diaw, while maintaining that Alpha's response was disproportionate. According to him, once the machete was recovered and his opponent disarmed, Alpha was no longer in immediate danger. He believes that the defendant therefore had no further reason to continue striking the victim until he broke his leg.

The prosecution has therefore requested that Alpha be found guilty of intentional assault and battery and illegal possession of a weapon, and sentenced to three months in prison.

The case has been adjourned for deliberation by the court.