The Lusaka High Court has ordered for trial within trial in a case in which two Zambia Army soldiers and two civilians are accused of killing seven people for ritual purposes.

Judge Florence Lengalenga ruled that trial within trial will be conducted in the matter to ascertain whether one of the suspected ritual killers Lucky Siame voluntarily led police to the crime scene.

The court’s ruling came after defense lawyer Humphrey Mweemba submitted that it was important to ascertain whether his client led police to the crime scene voluntarily.

Jimmy Phiri, police officer, had told justice Lengalenga that on April 14, Siame led him and others to Lilanda compound near a place called Musanide Car Park where one of the victims was allegedly murdered.

Phiri also said Siame had demonstrated how one of the victims was murdered.

But Mweemba objected to his evidence saying Siame did not voluntarily lead them to the crime scene.

Mweemba argued that the evidence of leading and demonstration of how one of the victims was alleged murdered given by Phiri was tantamount to a confession.

Judge Lengalenga ordered that Phiri’s evidence that Siame voluntarily led the police to the crime scene be removed from the court record to prevent prejudice against him.

Judge Lengalenga directed that the evidence of leading and demonstration must be tested by subjecting the witnesses to cross examination in a trial within trial to.

Justice Lengalenga warned that failure by the state to conduct a trial within trial could result in a mistrial.

At this point, the state asked for an adjournment in order to organise some witnesses.

Siame, Lewis Chishimba Bwalya, Christopher Kasapo and Elvis Nyanga are accused of killing Clever Changwe, William Chella, Alex Zulu, Elias Phiri, Amon Sichamba, Anthony Mwaba and Boris Muzumara between March 5th and April 17th 2016.

The matter comes up on october 12th for commencement of trial within trial.