A jurisprudential test is staring Zimbabwe’s justice system over a murder suspect who turned deaf in remand prison.

Kevin Pato (32) lost his sense of hearing by 100 percent, which has been medically ascertained, bringing his murder trial to a halt.
Pato cannot hear, but can speak.
He can also read notes and, in turn, respond verbally.

However, legal experts said communication through writing notes was not possible in a court of law, complicating his chances of standing trial.

Pato reportedly committed murder in the course of a robbery.
The offence attracts the death penalty if he is found guilty.

Relatives of the deceased are exerting pressure on the prosecution to kick-start the trial, but efforts to commence the trial have failed as the State is clueless on the proper method of communication to be used in court.State media