The accused were questioned without lawyers present and were not read their rights as criminal suspects or told the nature of offences they were charged with, the statement said. Neither were the accused provided adequate translation and legal representation. The suspects' DNA samples were also taken from them involuntarily and are hence inadmissible as evidence in court, accordingto the lawyers. It said the original confessions of the accused, cited by the prosecution in court, came about involuntarily from "torture" or "abuse" that made them fear for their lives and safety. These written confessions, even if they had been signed, should not be considered by the court, said the team.
In addition, the lawyers said there is no link between the alleged murder weapon, a hoe, and the two suspects.
"DNA samples from the hoe don't match the accused DNA profiles but instead match the DNA profiles of other individuals."According to the statement, the DNA evidence allegedly matching the accused as well as all circumstantial evidence in this case apparently showing the guilt of the two men is unreliable and should be inadmissible and not considered by the court.