PHOTO: Slain German, Juergen Schedema
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
The 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Kakata, Margibi County has set Thursday December 30, 202, for final argument into the ongoing murder trial of the German national Juergen Schedema, who was allegedly attacked and killed by armed robbers in Liberia’s southern Grand Bassa nearly two years ago.
On January 22, 2020, the German national Juergen Schedema was shot during an armed robbery attack at his logging compound in Big Joe Town near the port city of Buchanan.
When the case commenced on December 13, 2021, the three defendants pleaded not guilty thereby joining issue with the state.
Following the incident, police arrested, charged and sent three suspects now defendants to court about their alleged involvement into the incident.
The defendants were indicted by the ground jury of Grand Bassa County during the February 2020 A.D term of court with the crimes of murder, armed robbery and criminal conspiracy.
The defendants who are undergoing trial are James Kollie, alias “Depree”, Emmanuel Kollie, alias “Porleh” and Joseph Cole, alias “Joe Cole”.
During the trial proceedings, state prosecutor produced seven general witnesses and four rebuttal witnesses while the defense produced six witnesses and tested with the prosecution of both oral and documentary evidence.
Also during the trial proceedings, defense lawyers filed a motion on December 22, 2021,for the judge Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay to recuse himself from the case on ground that judge said in open court that outcome of the case will either encourage or discourage investors from investing in Liberia.
In addition to that, the defense lawyers accused the judge of hosting secret meeting with jurors in his office and the judge also requested for jurors numbers and addresses but said motion for recusal was denied by judge Gbeisay for lack of evidence.
Meanwhile, Judge Gbeisay has instructed both prosecution and defense lawyers to file their legal memorandum on or before Thursday, December 30, 2021 for final argument. And thereafter, the jurors will retire into their room of deliberation to bring verdict either for or against the defendants in the proceedings.
The State is being represented by the Margibi County Attorney, Assistant Justice Minister for Litigation, Cllr. Wesseh A. Wesseh and Masayan Matthew, deputy County Attorney.
The defense Lawyers include Atty. Peter G. King and Alfred Holmes.