WHAT  IS  THE  PROCEDURE  FOR  DISCHARGING  A  PERSON  AS  A STATE WITNESS?

1.    Before  resting  its  case,  the  prosecution  should  file  a  motion  to discharge the accused as a state witness with his consent

2.    The court will require the prosecution to present evidence and the sworn  statement  of  the  proposed  state  witness  at  a  hearing  in order to support the discharge

3.    The  court  will  determine  if  the  requisites  of  giving  the  discharge are present.  Evidence adduced in support of the discharged shall automatically form part of the trial

4.    If  the  court  is  satisfied,  it  will  discharge  the  state  witness.  The discharge  is  equivalent  to  an  acquittal,  unless  the  witness  later fails or refuses to testify

5.    The  court  denies  the  motion  for  discharge,  his  sworn  statement shall be inadmissible as evidence