Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The acquittal of Lucas Richards, an American missionary who was on trial for attempting to kill his girlfriend, Jessica Lloyd, on Wednesday, came as a shock to the public. However, of greater concern is that the ruling was an injustice to Jessica and her family.

By Gerald C. Koinyeneh

The House of Representatives has authorized its Join Committee on Judiciary and Gender to investigate the recent legal case that led to the acquittal of Lucas Richards, an American Missionary charged with Aggravated Assault and Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder against Jessica Lloyd.

Richards was found not guilty by Criminal Court ‘B’ at the Temple of Justice on Wednesday, April 17, following a legal battle between the prosecution, represented by the Government of Liberia, and the defense.

In the ruling, Judge Nelson Chinneh noted that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient and that the witnesses’ testimonies contradicted each other.

The verdict triggered public outcry, with many expressing concerns about potential tampering with justice, particularly after the emergence of a leaked audio recording suggesting discussions of a settlement between the lawyers of both parties.

The issue was brought to the attention of the House of Representatives following a communication from Rep. Moima Briggs Mensah (District #6, Bong County), who described Judge Chinneh’s verdict as disturbing and called for an investigation that could lead to the judge’s impeachment.

Rep. Mensah stated, “A young Liberian lady was left vulnerable to the justice system when her assistant, with all the evidence adduced, was found not guilty and acquitted by the judge in the Criminal Court. This verdict met the appalling despair of thousands of Liberians across the country and many around the world. Mr. Speaker, it is the responsibility of this Legislature to conduct oversight across the entire government, and where justice is derailed or denied, we must act. Therefore, I request that Plenary conducts an inquiry that may lead to the impeachment of the judge in question for bringing the Judiciary and the entire government to disrepute.”

In response, various lawmakers offered differing opinions. Rep. Alexander Poure (District #1, River Gee County) cautioned against overstepping legislative authority by questioning judicial decisions, citing constitutional constraints.

Rep. Poure said, “According to our rule and constitution. I don’t see any provision of the law that give us the oversight responsibility to invite, or investigate or review the decision of judges or of the judiciary. What I can recall clearly is that the constitution gives us the mandate to impeach so, I will like our colleague to make clear her communication.”

“If she feels that the judge has gone against the Constitution then she must put forth an impeachment bill, but to invite the judge here, I think the judges are being protected by the constitution. And so, we do not have any mandate to call any judge here,” he added

On the other hand, Rep. Musa Bility (District #7, Nimba County) supported Rep. Mensah’s call for an inquiry, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the justice system.

Rep. Bility said it is prudent that the Legislature intervene to ensure justice is served. He called for the Liberian Government to pursue the case in the United States if it is established that the defendant has returned. The United States, he said has always criticized Liberia’s justice system. So, if is established that justice was thwarted in favor of Richards, an American national, then the United States should cooperate with the Liberian Government to ensure justice is served.

He continued: “Secondly there are allegations that the defense offer bribe to the family. That becomes our responsibility to investigate and I fear that the defendant has left and therefore we must prepare civil action. Therefore, we can pursue and make sure we hire lawyer in the United to press charges.   

Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, while acknowledging the limitations on legislative interference in judicial matters, suggested involving the Ministry of Justice to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case, especially regarding the leaked audio.

“We don’t have the right to call any judge, but we have the right to call the victim. There was a recording of the victim’s lawyers in negotiations. We have the right to call those people to ascertain certain facts. If in the inquiry you believe that the decision of the judge was influenced by anything other than his pure legal profession, or opinion, then you can initiate what we call impeachment proceedings.” Impeachment proceedings are indeed extreme remedy. So, I will think we send it to judiciary to begin the necessary inquiry before we can go to any other level of impeachment or otherwise,” Cllr. Koffa said.

The House’s decision to launch an inquiry reflects ongoing concerns about the fairness and transparency of the judicial system, particularly in high-profile cases involving serious criminal charges.

MONROVIA – Jessica Lloyd, the victim of an alleged attempted murder case, has finally spoken out after receiving treatment at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital. According to her, she narrowly escaped a gruesome attack by her American boyfriend, Lucas Richards.

Report by Gerald C. Koinyeneh & Mae Azango

Lloyd recounted the terrifying incident, explaining that Richards had lured her to a secluded area under the pretext of changing a flat tire. In a shocking turn of events, he attacked her with a metal tool, attempting to slit her throat. Fortunately, a vigilant bystander intervened and saved her life.

She said there were signs that Richards was up to something sinister, but “she didn’t see it coming.”

Describing the chilling encounter, Lloyd said, “While we were going, we saw a cemetery and he suggested that we get down and see the graves. He said that’s what they do in America, but I told him no. Later he stopped the car and said one of the tires had a problem and he pulled the irons and called me to help him. While helping him, he said there was dirt on my head, and he loosened my hair to take away the dirt. Then he hit me with the iron very hard. I thought it was the tire that burst, but I fell and while attempting to wake up, he took the knife and began to slaughter me. But it looks like the boy has been watching us and he saw him hitting the iron on my head. And he came to my rescue.”

The courageous Good Samaritan, who only identified himself as Ernest, speaking with Freedom TV, corroborated Jessica’s account. He asserted that he witnessed Richards assaulting Jessica with a metal object and attempting to slit her throat. “I saw the white man hit the girl on the hid and he bent over her and started slaughtering her. That’s when I rushed there… I stopped the Kekeh (tricycle) and asked the rider to take her to the hospital. And I chartered kekeh to run after him,” he said.

Ernest said he sustained a severed wound while protecting Richards from being mobbed by the angry crowd. He was accompanied by a friend who claimed that he sustained a severe wound when he joined Ernest to save Jessica’s life.

Lloyd Mother’s account

The shocking incident unfolded on Thursday, September 14, and quickly made headlines across Monrovia. According to Jessica’s mother, the motive behind the attack appeared to be connected to her daughter’s pregnancy, as Richards had expressed a desire to marry her. Allegedly, he had administered an injection to induce a miscarriage, resulting in severe bleeding.

Following the initial incident, Richard had taken Jessica to ELWA Hospital for medical attention. After her discharge, he visited her mother’s residence, requesting to spend time alone with Jessica. However, she further alleged that Richards had drugged Jessica, rendering her unconscious, before attempting the gruesome act.

Richards’ account

Providing his account of the events to reporters, Richards explained that he had picked up Lloyd, who had requested $150 to give to her mother. He stated that he drove her to the supermarket, where they purchased food items, including cornflakes and milk. After driving around for some time, he decided to drop her off at her destination. As she disembarked from his car and waited by the roadside for a commercial motorcyclist, Richards also exited the vehicle to address a flat tire.

He said in a sudden turn of events, a speeding motorbike struck Lloyd, causing her to fall into a ditch. Abandoning his tire-changing task, Richards said he rushed to her aid, but the motorcyclist who had collided with her accused him of attempting to harm her. Richards explained that Lloyd had attempted to seek refuge in his car, but the growing crowd began to hurl objects at him. He furthered that in response to the escalating situation, Lloyd advised him to make his escape. And he drove to the police station as the angry crowd of motorcyclists chased after him. He, however, refused to state whether he and Lloyd are in a relationship when asked by the reporter.

“She asked me to help with US$150. and I gave it to her mom. She asked me for milk, cornflakes, and other things. I took her to the Supermarket… From there we decided that I would drop her back to her parents… A motorbike came and hit her. She fell backward and rolled into that ditch. At that point, I leave what I was doing and to attend to her and the bike rider that hit began to shout that I attempted to kill her.”

Creekside Church stands by Richards

FrontPageAfrica has gathered that the suspect, Richards, is the Executive Director of Administration at The Indigenous Mission TIM, Inc., a Creekside-supported missionary.

A few hours after the incident, the Creekside Church wrote via its official Facebook page, “Please pray for Creekside-supported missionaries Lucas and Lois Richard. Lucas was attacked and robbed in Liberia today. His phone and money were stolen and their vehicle damaged. Will add more details as we learn them. Thank you!

LNP confirms arrest

Confirming the incident for the first time, The Liberia National Police (LNP) announced that the suspect, Lucas Richards, had been arrested and was currently in custody at the police headquarters, undergoing investigation for allegations of attempted murder and aggravated assault against Jessica B. Lloyd. “The attack had left Jessica with lacerations on her neck, the back of her head, and her fingers,” the police said.

Lloyd is currently receiving medical treatment at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, while suspect Richards remains in detention at the LNP headquarters on Capitol Hill in Monrovia. The police assured the public that justice would be served in this case.