PHOTO: Convict Anderson (Left at the back, tall, like in complexion and smiling) with the other two defendants
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- Despite Christian Byron Anderson’s testimony in court that he killed former President William V. S, Tubman’s son, John H. Tubman, because he (John) allegedly sodomized him, Criminal Court “A” has slapped a life sentence on him.
Convict Anderson was sentenced today, Tuesday, July 5,2022, after his pre-sentence report was read in court, presided over by Resident Circuit Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, that he has no prior criminal records but has a smoking habit.
On Wednesday June 29,2022, a 12-member Jury handed down a majority guilty verdict against the main killer of John Tubman, Christian Byron Anderson.
Out of the 12, nine (9) said he was guilty, while three said he wasn’t guilty.
Convict Anderson was found guilty after a final argument into the case on June 29,2022.
During the trial proceedings, state prosecutors paraded two witnesses while the defendant alone testified on his on behalf.
Convict Anderson said his move to kill John H. Tubman was based on he (Tubman) action to continually sexually abused him and his refusal to send him for a medical checkup.
After his majority guilty verdict was handed down by the Jurors, Judge Roosevelt Z.Willie instructed the probation office at the Ministry of Justice to do a pre-sentence investigation or character of the convict slated for July 4,2022 followed by sentencing.
On September 22, 2021, the deceased John H. Tubman was found dead lying in a pool of blood at his Fiamah residence in Sinkor.
Convict has however threatened to kill himself since his life his useless now and in this regard, since the convict pleaded guilty initially, no appeal was taken.
Convict Anderson on June 21,2022, pleaded guilty after his indictment was read to him at Criminal Court A presided over by its resident Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, while, state prosecutors nulle prosequa (dropped) charges in favor of Emmanuel Forkey and Aloysius Garblah who testify on behalf of the state in the killing of John H. Tubman.
Aloysius Garblah is a juvenile and by law he can’t be tried until he reaches the age of 18.
The state prosecutors said their action to drop charges against the two defendants is based on information gathered that the two defendants didn’t participate in the commission of the crime.
The defense lawyers headed by Cllr. Jimmy Bombo interposed no objection to the two defendants who charges were dropped.
The state acted in line with Chapter 18.1 of the Criminal procedure law which states
18.1. Dismissal by prosecuting attorney.
The prosecuting attorney may by leave of court file a dismissal of an indictment or complaint or of a count contained therein as to either all or some of the defendants. The prosecution shall thereupon terminate to the extent indicated in the dismissal.
Despite his guilty pleas, the court set aside his guilty plea because murder is a first degree felony with a punishment of life imprisonment or death by hanging judge Willie ordered state prosecutors to proceed with the matter in order to prove their case beyond all reasonable doubt.
They were indicted during the February A.D 2022 term of court for the crimes of murder, theft of property and criminal conspiracy.
The trial was jury trial which commenced on June 23,2022 where state prosecutors are expected to produce witnesses against the lone defendant Anderson.
The state was represented by Cllr. Wilfred Sayeh, Cllr. Augustine Toe, Cllr. Aloysius Allison, Atty. Masayan Matthews and Sumo C. Aquoi while defendants Aloysius Garblah and Emmanuel Forkey were represented by Jimmy Bombo and Christian Byron Anderson is being represented office of the public defense.