By Garmah Never Lomo from KAKATA- Margibi Coounty
Two defendants who allegedly killed German national Jurden Schedeman in the southern port City of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County appeared in court on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 in Kakata, Margibi County, 73 kilometers from the Liberian capital, Monrovia.
The two men pleaded not guilty, after their indictment was read to them there by joining issue with the state.
On January 22, 2020, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Consultant Capital (ICC) was shot dead at the logging company in Big Joe town, Grand Bassa County.
The trial of the two defendants–Emmanuel Kollie and Joseph Cole alias Joe Cole– begun at the 13th Judicial Circuit Court presided over by Judge Mardea Chenowath.
Defendants Kollie and Cole were arrested, investigated, charged and sent to court for crimes of murder, armed robbery and Criminal conspiracy in the Port City of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
They were transferred to Margibi County from Grand Bassa County in March of this year on a change of venue motion filed by their lawyer Atty. Aaron Kartee based on public judgement against them which said motion was argued and granted by the second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Joe S. Barkon.
At the start of the trial, the state was represented by Cllr. H. Deddeh Johnson Wilson County Attorney for Margibi County while the defendants were represented by office of public defender Atty. Afred B. Whelmes.
State lawyers asked court for continuance into the matter for Thursday June 4, 2020, in order to enable them bring their witnesses from Grand Bassa and Bong Counties and also to find sleeping place for them.
According to Cllr. Wilson, the witnesses testimonies are very important to the court and asked court to grant prosecution all other relief that is just and legal.
While, the defense lawyer Atty. Afred B. Whelmes interposed no objection to the request made by the state.
Meanwhile, the 13 the Judicial Circuit Court judge, Mardea Chenowath said the continuance request made by prosecution or state is surprising and strange, as since the May term of court opened, the state has been requesting for the assignment of this matter, especially some officials from the Ministry of Justice.
The Judge said they called her to assign this case, only to hear them asking for continuance when she expected them to have been prepared.
Judge Chenowath however, granted the continuance request made by the state, adding that this is a murder case and the prosecution will have to prove their case beyond all reasonable doubt.