District 6, Bong County, Representative Moima Briggs Mensah, has called for a retrial in the recent acquittal of American missionary Lucas Richards on charges of attempted murder of Jessica Lloyd.
It can be recalled that the Criminal Court “B” Judge Nelson Chineh on Wednesday, April 17, set American Missionary Richards free from answering further to the crimes of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder as was charged by the Government of Liberia.
In his ruling, Judge Nelson Chineh said, “It is the holding of this court, considering the facts, circumstances and laws controlling, that the defendant is hereby adjudged not guilty of the crimes.”
“The defendant is hereby ordered discharged from ever answering to these charges and his bail bond, if any, order returned,” the judge further ruled.
Justifying his ruling, Judge Chineh said, the court does not dispute that the private prosecutrix sustained injuries on September 14, 2023, while she was out with the defendant for a ride but it is the place and time when the injuries were sustained that are disputed.
Lloyd herself expressed disbelief in a video and condemnation of the verdict, stating that the evidence against Richards was clear and convincing.
Her emotional reaction, shared outside the courtroom, mirrored the sentiments of many who believe the outcome reveals a failure of the Liberian legal system.
In Rep. Mensah’s communication yesterday, April 18 to plenary, she criticized the court’s decision, suggesting it reflects a troubling bias in favor of foreign nationals within Liberia’s legal system.
“I have presented my compliments and wish to bring your attention to a matter of grave concern. In his annual message, President Boakai stated that our justice system which is meant to protect the innocent and punish the guilty, has been marred by inefficiency, corruption, and lack of public trust.”
According to her on April 17, Liberians realized the shocking truth of that averment. A young Liberian lady was left vulnerable to the justice system when her assistant, with all the evidence adduced, was found not guilty and therefore the culprit was acquitted by the Criminal Court judge
“This verdict met the appalling despair of thousands of Liberians across the country and many around the world,” Rep Mensah noted
She expressed, “Mr. Speaker, it is the responsibility of this Legislature to conduct oversight across the entire government and where justice is derailed or denied, we must act.”
Rep. Mensah, therefore requested that plenary conducts an inquiry that may lead to the impeachment of the judge in question for bringing the Judiciary and the entire government to disrepute.
The case has raised pressing questions about the integrity of the justice system, with critics pointing out potential disparities in legal outcomes when cases involve international defendants.
Many argued that if the roles were reversed and an African national faced similar charges in the United States, a guilty verdict would have been inevitable.
Meanwhile, the communication was forwarded to the Gender and Judiciary Committees to report in a week.
