But Prosecution Lawyers Have Taken Exception To The Judge’s Move
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
The Assigned Judge of 15th Judicial Circuit Court in the southeastern River Gee, Wesseh Alphonsus Wesseh has overturned and set aside the trial Jurors’ unanimous guilty verdict recently brought against five Defendants.
On May 30, 2023, the jury of this court brought down a guilty verdict for defendants James Weah, Albert Weah, Pedesco Saywon, Charles Nyanti and Suku Sherman who were tried for Murder and Criminal conspiracy.
Jurors said they took the decision on grounds that The Government of Liberia evidence brought against the defendant was not sufficient to warrant the conviction of the defendants.
Back in April 2022, the defendants were indicted in Grand Kru County in April 2022 for allegedly kidnapping and murdered of Madam Rachel Weah who reportedly went missing in Boah Dwehken on April 1, 2022.
The Defendants were attested by the Police in Grand Kru for been in possession of dry skeleton bones and skull) which the Police said was human bones and skull of Madam Rachel Weah.
Judge Wesseh, who before becoming a Judge was Assistant Justice Minister for Litigation, said that the government’s Lawyer in the case did not provide the best evidence, that is a forensic or DNA testing result that is linked to the missing woman. And he has therefore, ordered the conduct of a new trial in line with section 22.1 of the Criminal procedure law of Liberia and section 25.6 of the Civil procedure law of Liberia.
Judge Wesseh’s latest action to overturn and set aside the unanimous guilty verdict of jurors came after the court heard argument in a seven-count motion for new trial filed by Defense’s Lawyers, led by Cllr Jerome C Pour.
Cllr. Pour challenged the jurors’ unanimous guilty verdict against the defendants.
Meanwhile, Prosecution lawyer, Atty. Fofie Kamara has taken exception to Judge Wesseh ruling overturning the jurors’ verdict and has announced an appeal to the Supreme court of Liberia.