Monrovia – American Missionary Lucas Richards, who stood trial on allegations of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder against Jessica Lloyd, was adjudged not guilty by Criminal Court ‘B’ at the Temple of Justice on Wednesday, April 17. The verdict came after a legal battle between the prosecution, represented by the Government of Liberia, and the defense, representing the accused.
However, Richards’ acquittal from the charge of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder was met with curses from his accuser, Jessica Lloyd, in a dramatic scene outside the Temple of Justice following Judge Nelson Chinneh’s final ruling.
Madam Lloyd was heard raining curses at Mr. Richards in the courtyard after he was declared a free man following the judge’s ruling.
Jessica Lloyd was heard saying: “You will not live until the end of this year for what you did to me. I swear to God, you will pay for it.”
“You will bear the consequences of what you did before this term of court ends. Any judges and lawyers connected to this, your generation will face the consequences of this.”
Her anger was triggered by the ruling which was not in her favor, as the Judge noted that upon review of the court records, the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence to find Defendant Richards guilty of the alleged crimes against him.
In his ruling, Judge Chinneh noted that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient and that the witnesses’ testimonies contradicted each other. This discrepancy in testimonies led the judge to conclude that Richards was not guilty of the crimes of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder.
“It is the decision of this court, after considering the facts, circumstances, and applicable laws, that the defendant is hereby adjudged Not Guilty of the crimes of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder,” the ruling stated.
“The defendant is ordered discharged from ever answering to this charge, and his bail bond, if any, is to be returned.”
During the ruling, Judge Chinneh highlighted that the principal witness, Jessica Lloyd, maintained in her testimony that the defendant did not harm her. This testimony, according to the Judge, carried more weight than other evidence presented, especially in the absence of any evidence indicating coercion or inducement.
The Judge stated that most of the prosecution witnesses’ testimonies were based on hearsay evidence, which is not admissible in court except in certain circumstances.
Moreover, the Judge emphasized that the case’s history should be supported by evidence before the police, which may include written voluntary statements from witnesses. However, the summaries of the witnesses’ testimonies contradicted their voluntary statements in this case.
The Judge concluded that the evidence produced by the state was insufficient to support the allegations in the indictment and to secure a conviction.
Furthermore, the Judge referenced previous cases where the Supreme Court held that when evidence is insufficient, conflicting, or inconsistent, the accused must be acquitted on the principle of reasonable doubt.
Defendant Richards was indicted by the Grand Jury for Montserrado on December 14, 2023, for allegedly committing the crimes of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, both felonies of the second degree.
According to the indictment, on September 14, 2023, Defendant Richards allegedly injected Jessica Lloyd with an unknown substance with the intent to terminate her three-month pregnancy. The indictment further alleged that Richards took advantage of Lloyd’s weakened state and attempted to kill her by slashing her throat with a knife.
Following the Judge’s not guilty ruling, the state prosecutor announced an appeal to the Supreme Court. However, Judge Chinneh denied the request, stating that the state cannot further appeal to the Supreme Court in a criminal proceeding.
