PHOTO: Jurors leaving their room of deliberations on Thursday
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
KAKATA, Liberia- At the 13th judicial Circuit Court here in Magibi County, three Liberian men have been found guilty of murdering a German national, Juergen Schedema in Grand Bassa County nearly two years ago while staging an armed robbery on a logging company, Jurors handed down a unanimous guilty verdict on Thursday.
Slain German national, Juergen Schedema
But the defense Lawyers have taken exception and say they’ll take advantage of the statute controlling.
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.
The defendants who are undergoing trial are James Kollie, alias “Depree”, Emmanuel Kollie, alias “Porleh” and Joseph Cole, alias “Joe Cole”.
The three Defendants
The three defendants have been on trial for allegedly committing the crimes of murder, armed robbery and criminal conspiracy, which resulted into the death of the German national.
After the guilty verdict was announced on Thursday, defense Lawyer Peter G. King bowed down and his physical feature completely changed.
For her part, Margibi County Attorney, Dedeh Johnson Wilson said that she expected the verdict in their favour, and due to the overwhelming evidence they presented during the trial.
Cllr. Wesseh said since Liberia signed treaty against death penalty or death by hanging, the convicts should get life imprisonment.
Cllr. Dedeh Johnson Wilson
She said this will serve as a deterrent for other alledged armed robberies.
As for the defense Lawyers, Peter G. King declined interview aft the verdict was announced.
Lawyer King instead told www.newspublictrust.com to interview the Jurors.
The trial lasted for two weeks and three days, and it was presided over by assigned Circuit Court Judge Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay.
Meanwhile, Assistant Justice Minister, Wesseh A. Wesseh told this news outlet in an interview on Thursday, that the prosecution want life imprisonment for the defendants/convicts.
This, he said, will serve as deterrence for others who are in the constant habit of engaging in armed robbery, and even killing of victims.
Background
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.