Sangarie was found not guilty of manslaughterby Justice Margai on May 10. He was defended by Joel Deen-Tarawally a lawyer with the Sierra Leone Legal Aid who secure a not guilty verdict for the accused because the weapon allegedly used, which is a stone, was never tendered in court. Also, the key prosecution witness was not present at the time of the allege murder. The prosecution was further hampered by lack of cooperation from their witnesses some of who did not complete their testimonies.
Lawyer Deen-Tarawally had secured bail for the accused in March 2018 after an application for one was granted by Justice Margai despite objection from the prosecution. However, the accused remained in prison until judgment was delivered because he could not meet the bail conditions.
The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles donated a Quran to Sangarie who is believed to be an Islamic Scholar during pre-discharge briefing. Ms. Carlton-Hanciles told him, he will be reunited with the Malian Consul and that once he is resettled the Board will help him regain possession of his land and also facilitate his return to Mali should he decide to return.
