Kottayam: A key witness in the sensational Kevin Joseph murder case switched sides on Monday.
Witness No 28, Abin Pradeep had earlier testified that the accused in the case had approached him for help. He informed the court here that the police had forced him to give the statement and that he had attempted suicide following the incident.
The accused had travelled with Abin's autorickshaw prior to committing the crime. Abin had initially stated that he was aware of Kevin's kidnapping at the time. He had also informed the police that he had witnessed the accused hiding the murder weapon.
The witness has now changed his earlier statement made in an in-camera disclosure in court.
Abin is reportedly an aide of the accused.
Kevin P Joseph, a 23-year-old Dalit Christian youth, was brutally killed on May 27 2018 by a gang led by the brother of his 20-year-old fiancee, Neenu. He had earned the wrath of Neenu's family for going ahead with plans to marry Neenu who belonged to a well-off family despite objection by her parents and brother.
The Kevin murder trial which began in February is expected to be completed in six months as it comes under the category of honour killing.
