By Precious D. Freeman
The Judge of Criminal Court ‘B’, Nelson Chinneh, has denied defendant Richard Lucas’ motion requesting a leave for medical attention before the court on February 22.
Defendant Richard was arrested and indicted by the Grand Jury of Montserrado County and charged with Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder and Aggravated Assault.
According to Judge Chinneh, granting the application for medical leave will be unjust to the victim, as the alleged crimes were committed in Liberia and its judgment is pending.
However, the judge noted that, in agreement with the prosecution’s contention that the request for medical leave makes the defendant a flight risk, there are procedures to which the defendant can be granted the application for medical leave.
In the defendant’s motion for medical leave, he claimed that he is law-abiding and complained that he suffers from hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol but is now critically ill therefore, if timely medical intervention is not made at an advanced medical facility, it may cause his untimely death.
He said the appalling condition of the medical facilities in Liberia means that it does not have required machines to diagnose his medical case therefore, the court should grant him the medical leave to enable him travel to the United States of America to seek medical attention.
But in resistance, prosecution said the motion made by defendant Richard is a calculated attempt, cleverly designed to seek the court’s approval for his permanent flight to America from the bailiwick of Liberia, which will perpetually end the trial.
Government lawyers said the motion is in total disregard to the pain and suffering to which Jessica Lloyd was unnecessarily subjected to defendant Richard without any legal justification, with the resultant effect of promoting impunity and lawlessness in Liberia.
The Judge of the Magisterial Court in St. Paul Bridge, John Griggs, forwarded defendant to the Monrovia Central Prison, for allegedly slashing the throat of his girlfriend, Ms. Lloyd, in an attempt to kill her in Palm Farm Community, Dixville.
Defendant Richard was charged with the crime of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder and Aggravated Assault, in violation of Chapter 10; Section 10.1, Chapter 14.
According to the police charge, the defendant, knowingly, purposely, and intentionally, attempted to cause the death of victim Lloyd by hitting her on the head with a heavy or blunt object, which caused her to go unconscious, and subsequently used a sharp object (knife) to slash her throat.
