TEMPLE Of JUSTICE, Monrovia- Lawyer representing the legal interest of murder defendant Bill Jallah, who allegedly killed his girlfriend in late December last year, has filed a petition to enter into a plea bargain before the Criminal Court ‘A’, as Garmah Never Lomo reports.
This is to avoid joining issue with the state.
Bill Jallah, who is said to have stabbed his girlfriend, Princess Zuo with knife multiple times, was put behind bars at the Monrovia Central Prison at the weekend (Friday, December 27, 2024). Court Sends Alleged Killer Of Girlfriend To Prison On Murder Charge – News Public Trust
The APPLICATION FOR PLEA BARGAINING before this court presided over by Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie reads:
NOW COMES THE PETITIONER (BILL JALLAH), most respectfully submits this application for Plea-Bargaining for the following reasons as showeth, to wit
- Petitioner says that he has read the Indictment/Charges against him for the crimes of Murder, Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder and the sentences in keeping with the Penal Law of the Republic of Liberia.
- Petitioner says that his legal representative/lawyer has also explained the charges/offenses against him and the sentence as provided by law.
- Petitioner says that he has never been previously charged nor held guilty and/or convicted by any court of criminal offense(s) nor charged or convicted with the charges that the Petitioner is now charged.
- Petitioner says, considering the circumstances in the aforementioned case, Petitioner voluntarily wishes to avail the benefit of plea bargaining as may be agreed by the parties.
- Petitioner says he is committed to abiding by all terms and conditions of the Honorable Court, as he seeks a plea-bargaining in this proceeding.
- Petitioner says that the petition is made in good faith and not intended to delay justice.
WHEREFORE AND IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, Petitioner respectfully prays that the
Honorable Court would be graciously pleased to grant Petitioner’s Petition and permit Petitioner to avail the benefits of PLEA-BARGAINING for the ends of Justice. Further, Petitioner prays that Your Honor and this Honorable Court will grant all that seems just, legal and equitable.
Defendant Bill Jallah was indicted by the grand jury of Montserrado County for the crime of murder and Criminal attempt to commit murder and aggravated assault during the February A.D.2025 term of Court.
Criminal Procedure Law Chapter 16 §16.5. Arraignment, judgment, and sentence after plea of guilty.
Chapter 16 section 16.5 of the Criminal Procedure law states that, if a defendant after indictment desires to enter a plea of guilty, he shall be arraigned immediately in open court even though the court is not then in session. If this plea is accepted, sentence shall be imposed without delay, or immediately on the receipt of a presentence report if such a report is required by law or requested by the judge.
No trial is necessary following a plea of guilty. A sentence imposed in chambers after a plea of guilty shall have the same force and effect as though in open court. The clerk shall record the judgment and enter sentences in the manner provided for judgments and sentences pronounced in open court.
According to the indictment, While victim Princess Zuo and Kormassa Jallah were discussing on the phone on Saturday, December 21, 2024 evening, Bill Jallah returned to her working place for the second time and victim Princess Zuo not satisfied with his presence at her work site, told Kormassa Jallah “your brother Bill is here again, please call your sister and mother so you people can come and take your brother from here to stop embarrassing me”.
It stated that Kormassa Jallah hurriedly left her residence at Neezoe Community and proceeded to Congo Town and while enroute, she called her sister Mawen Jallah who also promised to follow after Kormassa Jallah along with their mother Kumba Amos.
The indictment explained that Upon arrival of Kormassa Jallah at victim Princess Zuo working place she met with her brother defendant Bill Jallah at Prince Zuo workplace and Princess Zuo decided that they go somewhere to sit and talk since where they were was her working place which was not a good place to discuss.
Based upon victim Princess Zuo request, they proceeded around an entertainment center known as Fast Nikel, situated adjacent Kool FM Radio Station, Joe Bar, Paynesville between 18:00hrs to 19:00hrs to have some discussion reference defendant Bill Jallahbehavior as reported to his father by victim Princess Zuo.
The indictment avers that While in-front of Fast Nikel Entertainment Center, defendant Bill Jallah entered said business center where he purchased a bottle of stout for himself and two (2) bottles of Malta for Kormassa Jallah and victim Princess Zuo.
When he came outside from the entertainment center, a waiter at said business center followed with the drinks and placed the same on a table which they were seated around.
While sitting, defendant Bill Jallah initiated an argument and or confusion with victim Princess Zuo reference why she went out with her friends on the night of Friday, December 20, 2024 without his knowledge and refused to respond to his call via phone.
Defendant Bill Jallah was at the point aggressive both in words and by physical expression to which victim Princess Zuo also got angry and woke up from her seat, took her bag and started moving towards the main street, precisely towards the direction of Duport Road Junction, Paynesville.
Kormassa Jallah who witnessed the incident, took behind victim Princess Zuo to render apology on-behalf of defendant Bill Jallah and that they could trash their differences.
In the process of Kormassa Jallah reaching out to victim Princess Zuo, defendant Bill Jallah left the entertainment center and hurriedly followed and when he reached victim Princess Zuo, he started blocking her from leaving but victim Princess Zuo insisted that she could not remained at this point, defendant Bill Jallah pulled up a knife from beneath his clothes from the direction of his left waist and stabbed several times thus leaving severe laceration and puncher wounds on her human person to include; three wounds on her upper left chest, one wound under her left arm, one wound on the left side of her neck, two wounds on the left back of the victim. Additionally, defendant Bill Jallah also used the same knife to stab victim Kormassa Jallah, who tried to stop him from stabbing victim Princess Zuo.
After inflicting the severe bodily injuries on victim Princess Zuo and inflicting a stab wound on his sister (Kormassa Jallah), defendant Bill Jallah decided to escape justice but was apprehended by some people who arrived after the incident and they took him to Zone Five police Station, located at Joe Bar, Paynesville, while victims Princess Zuo and Kormassa Jallah were rushed to the ELWA Hospital for treatment but victim Princess Zuo was pronounced dead upon arrival (DOA) by medical personnel who were on duty.
Meanwhile, victim Kormassa Jallah was admitted for treatment. Findings As the result of the investigation conducted, couple with the multiple of physical wounds inflicted on victim Princess Zuo and that of the injury inflicted on victim Kormassa Jallah.