Monrovia – Government lawyers in the ongoing murder trial of Oliver Dillon have filed a motion with the Criminal Court ‘A’ requesting Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie to rescue himself from the trial.
In the motion, prosecution recounted that during the May Term of court Judge Willie rendered a ruling in a motion to admit defendant Dillon to bail, which they claim, proved the Judge has a preconceived motive of the case.
The prosecution added that Judge Willie ruling was overturned by the Justice in Chamber based on a writ of Certiorari filed to the Supreme Court.
“Your humble movant says that during the May Term, A.D 2019 of this Honorable Court, your honor in your ruling on a motion to admit to bail, rendered a ruling that proof in the case was not evidence and presumption not great, which formed the basis of your decision to grant them bail,” stated prosecution in its motion.
“Movant says that by your Honor’s action to have granted implies that your Honor has an informed prior decision in the matter for which your Honor cannot and should not preside over movant’s case. Hence, movant requests that your Honor rescue yourself from hearing and presiding over the above mentioned case.”
During arguments on the motion on Thursday, November 14, defense counsel made a submission, requesting the Judge to deny the prosecution’s motion and continue the case.
“At this stage, counsel says upon arrival in court this morning, he was served a motion for your honor to rescue yourself from this hearing. Counsel says that thy request continuance in this matter so that defense counsel can properly address issues in the motion for recusal,” the Defense counsel argued.
In resisting the defense team, prosecution also argued that the defense team is intended to baffle the proceedings and delay defendant right to speedy trial.
“Prosecution prays your honor to have said continuance denied as same is not the basis and foundation on which said motion was filed and pray your honor that you ruled since indeed and in fact said motion was addressed specifically to you and grant unto prosecution any other relief deem legal and just,” Prosecution argued.
But Judge Willie ruled in the motion, granting the defense counsel submission for continuance of the case.
“Movant says that by your Honor’s action to have granted implies that your Honor has an informed prior decision in the matter for which your Honor cannot and should not preside over movant’s case. Hence, movant requests that your Honor rescue yourself from hearing and presiding over the above mentioned case.”
– State Prosecutors
Judge Willie said it is the right of the other party to address or to respond to a motion filed before the court except that the party waives its right.
“This court hereby grants the continuance as prayed for by the defense counsel to enable it address the issue raise at which time this court will make a determination based on the motion filed and the response thereto by the defense counsel. Accordingly, these proceedings are rescheduled for Monday, November 18, 2019 at 9:30AM prompt,” Judge Willie ruled.
Defendant Oliver Dillon, who is younger brother of Senator Darius Dillon of Montserrado County, is being charged with the crime of murder and has been in jail at the Monrovia Central Prison, commonly known as South Beach, awaiting court trial.
He was sent to prison on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.
Prior to his detention, Dillon was the Coordinator of Decentralization at the Ministry of Transport.
According to the police charged sheet, the Defendant stabbed victim Emmanuel Koffa twice in his chest when the victim (Koffa) and two others to be identified engaged him in the darkness with scissor with aggression and malicious intent.