Monrovia – The Supreme Court of Liberia is expected to entertain arguments Wednesday, May 1, between prosecution and defense lawyers representing in the murder case of Journalist Tyron A. Browne.
Report by Augustine T. Tweh, [email protected]
Journalist Browne was murdered on the night of April 15, 2018, in the Duport Road Community.
Prior to his death, the deceased worked as with a local radio station, Super FM / TV owned by businessman George B. Kailondo.
During the police investigation, at least six of the seven suspects were arrested and placed behind bars at the Monrovia Central Prison ahead of trial.
Suspect Williams was charged with murder; Alice Youti, Joana Bracewell, Edwina Youti were charged with hindering law enforcement; Ernest Kermue and Caesar Bill Kennedy were charged with criminal facilitation to commit murder and hindering law enforcement.
Williams was indicted for killing journalist Browne at his residence in the Duport Road Community on the night of April 15, 2018.
Before the trial, government lawyers representing the late journalist Tyron A. Browne dropped charges against Ernest Kermue, Caesar Bill Kennedy and Massah Kennedy and Joanna Bracewell as state witnesses.
While Alice and Edwina Youti are now being tried with Williams in connection to Journalist Browne death.
During the reading of the Indictment, Williams, Alice and Edwina pleaded not guilty to the crime.
While Jonathan Williams pleaded with the court in a motion for change of venue on ground that he will not have an impartial trial but was also denied by the judge.
Based on Judge Willie’s ruling, the two defendants’ motions were denied for separate trial and the motion for change venue as prayed for by Jonathan Williams.
The defendants then took an appeal to the Justice in Chamber at the time, Associate Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh.
In her ruling, Justice Yuoh said: “Wherefore and in view of all that have been stated, the alternative writ of certiorari is hereby affirmed, and the peremptory writ of certiorari is ordered issued. The two rulings of the trial judge denied both the motion for a separate trial from defendant Jonathan Williams by petitioners Alice Youti and Edwina Youti.
“And the motion for change of venue by petitioner Jonathan Williams are hereby reversed, with the instruction that the matter regarding petitioners Alice and Edwina Youti be transferred to the appropriate magisterial court; and further instruction against petitioner Jonathan Williams be transferred to the 16th Judicial Circuit court, Gbarpolu County in accordance with the law regarding such transfer and that the trial thereto be prioritized.”