— Condemns Criminal Court “B” verdict
BY: Shallon S.Gonlor
NIMBA COUNTY — A right advocacy group in Liberia, the Alliance for Peace, Justice, and Human Rights (APJHR) has vowed to ensure a fair and transparent justice in favor of Jessica B. Lloyd, the lady who narrowly escaped a gruesome attack by her American boyfriend, Lucas Richards.
The American Missionary Lucas Richards tried for the alleged commission of the crimes of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder against Jessica Lloyd was acquitted based on a not guilty judgment by the presiding judge of Criminal Court ‘B’ at the Temple of Justice on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
The judge’s ruling came following a legal battle between both the Ministry of Justice’s prosecution arm, and the Public Defense who argued and presented their case beyond all reasonable doubt.
In a statement contained via Facebook, the Executive Director of APJHR, Abigal BL Karneh said her institution (APJHR) in collaboration with other youth-led Human Rights group is in solidarity with Jessica B. Lloyd and her family for justice.
In its latest display of activism, Madam Karneh commended Jessica and her family’s resilience and steadfastness in pushing for justice, adding that her institution in solidarity and commitment will support Jessica’s call for a new trial, promising to ensure that her cry for fair justice will be heard.
“We appreciate everyone who has stood with Jessica throughout this journey and endorse efforts to raise awareness through marches, protests, and rallies. Justice must prevail, and we are steadfast in our support of Jessica and her pursuit of it” she said.
Founded in 2019, the Alliance for Peace, Justice, and Human Rights emerged to tackle widespread teenage pregnancies, human rights violations, and escalating conflicts in Liberia through the promotion of peace, justice, & human rights.
The American Missionary, Lucas Richards’ acquittal from the charges of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder by the Criminal Court ‘B’ has been greeted with criticism from diverse rights activists including direct curses from Jessica Lloyd after Judge Nelson Chinneh’s final ruling.
The courtroom of Criminal Court ‘B’ was a scene of grief and disappointment after Judge Nelson Chinneh acquitted the American missionary, Lucas Richards, who was accused of attempting to murder his Liberian wife Jessica Lloyd in September 2023.
However, the Alliance for Peace, Justice, and Human Rights (APJHR), Executive Director has raised concerns about the dangerous precedent and far-reaching negative consequences of the decision declaring Lucas K. Richards a free man.
Madam Abigal BL Karneh a wide range of human rights violations risk falling under the sweeping decision of the justice system of Liberia, which is open to arbitrary application and abuse.
