Asamankese (Eastern Region) - An Asamankese circuit court on Wednesday remanded three persons, Eric Osei, Kwadwo Yeboah and Adwoa Nyamekye, in custody for the murder Madam Florence Hammond, 75, a popular trader and President of the Presbyterian Women?s Fellowship.

Osei and Yeboah who are nephews, of Madam Hammond were remanded in prison custody and Nyamekye, a house help, is in police custody to assist in investigation into the matter.

Osei and Yeboah are alleged to have butchered Madam Hammond to death on Saturday morning while Nyamekye looked on.

Their please were not taken and they are to re-appear on February 9, 2000.

Chief Inspector Mariama Duneya, told the court presided over by Mr. S.S. Appiah that Osei had threatened Madam Hammond, a cloth-seller, with death in a series of quarrels.

She said while sleeping around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, after a trip to Kumawu in the Ashanti region, Osei armed with a cutlass, and accompanied by Yeboah, knocked at the gate of the house and they were let in by Nyamekye.

They requested to see Madam Hammond and were led to her door by Nyamekye where after knocking, she opened to allow them in.

Soon upon entering, Osei started butchering her while Yeboah kept watch at the door.

The prosecutor said after accomplishing his mission Osei warned the Nyamekye not to disclose the act to anyone otherwise she would suffer the same fate.

Nyamekye in her plea said she was held down by Yeboah to prevent her from screaming or running for help.

The judge, Mr Appiah, described the act as "premeditated and wicked murder, which will haunt her murderers."