-In attempted killing, assault case against Lucas Richards
By G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
On Friday, March 22, 2024, 22-year-old Jessica Lloyd took the witness stand to testify against the American Missionary, Lucas Richards, who she alleges assaulted and attempted to kill her.
During the direct examination by her lead lawyer, Cllr. Gongloe, Jessica narrated that on September 14, 2023, Lucas visited her home and asked her out. While they were on their way, they made a stop at a local supermarket in Gardnersville to buy some groceries. Jessica testified that during their journey, she started experiencing stomach pains and informed Lucas about it. Lucas then provided her with a different medication, assuring her that it would alleviate the pain.
Describing their further movements, Jessica recounted how they drove to a waterside where they encountered some at-risk youths and sought directions from them. She recalled feeling uneasy as Lucas mentioned carrying a knife in case of encountering a snake. Despite her fear, they proceeded to a crowded waterside area. Feeling apprehensive, Jessica suggested they leave, but Lucas insisted on staying briefly. Subsequently, Lucas claimed to have spotted a snake and urged Jessica to approach him, but she refrained due to fear.
Jessica: “We drove to a waterfall, and we saw some zogos and asked for directions because he (Lucas) said he could not remember the area. The boy directed him to the place. Before getting down, he took a knife and said just in case if he sees a snake then he will kill it. And we walked to the waterside where a lot of people were. I was afraid and said we should leave the place. We walked to a place, and he said he wanted to urinate. After that, he asked me to come closer to him because he said he saw a snake head, but I didn’t go because I was afraid.”
Continuing her narrative, Jessica mentioned that while driving through Dixville, Lucas remarked on the peaceful nature of Liberia and suggested visiting a cemetery, which she declined. As they continued their journey, Lucas encountered an issue with his rear tires, prompting a stop for repairs in Dixville. During this stop, Lucas handed Jessica an iron tool, indicating dirt in her hair. After attending to her hair, Jessica recalled feeling a sudden sensation behind her head, leading to her collapsing on the grass with her body experiencing a current-like sensation and her eyes involuntarily opening and closing.
“We got in the car, and he (defendant Lucas) drove around Dixville after we passed, he said Liberia is peaceful here and he said we should go to the cemetery and I said no. While driving, Lucas complained about his back tires and we stopped around Dixville again and he got down to fix his tires. He told me to get help from him. He had an iron in his hand, and he gave another then he said dirt was in my hair. It took him a few seconds as soon as he left my hair, I felt this sound behind my head and I dropped in the grass and my body was like current in it and my eyes were opening and closing,” she explained.
According to her account, as she lay on the ground, she attempted to sit up, but Lucas pushed her back down. Despite her injuries, she reassured him that she was fine, hoping he would leave her alone. She described seeing Lucas looming over her, and when another boy approached, she falsely claimed Lucas was her husband to protect him. As she tried to reach a nearby car, Lucas struck her with it, causing her to start bleeding. Thankfully, a kind stranger provided her with a cloth to wrap around her neck and assisted in getting her into a keke. Upon arriving home, her family inquired about the incident before rushing her to the hospital.
During her testimony on Friday in Criminal Court ‘B’ before Judge Nelson Chinneh, Jessica Lloyd revealed that she had married Lucas Richards on May 19, 2023, just one month after meeting him in April.
Under the direct examination by her lawyer, Cllr. Taiwon S. Gongloe, Jessica explained how she came to know the defendant, Lucas Richards. She shared that Lucas had begun assisting her and her brother with their fees and supporting their mother while they were still getting to know each other.
“So, he started to help my brother and myself to pay our fees and also help my mother. And after sometimes, he asked to meet with my parents to discuss for me to be his second wife. He met with my parents, and they discussed for me to be his second wife and he said his wife was out of the country. We started to plan the wedding and he sponsored the wedding and we got married on May 19, 2023. On the day of the wedding, we took some pictures. The wedding was a traditional wedding where we shared kola nuts, after the wedding, we went for outreach in three counties, and one of the counties, Cape Mount happens to be Lucas’ mission field county,” Jessica recounted.
Also during the hearing, Jessica revealed that after realizing she was pregnant, she informed Lucas, who appeared elated by the news. Lucas then provided her with financial support to seek immediate medical attention at the ELWA Hospital, where he also received treatment.
However, Jessica’s testimony took a dark turn as she narrated the events of August 31, 2023. On that fateful day, Lucas visited her at home and expressed his intention to provide her with medication due to her pregnancy symptoms. Despite her trust in him, Jessica soon found herself in a disturbing situation. After being administered medication and injections by Lucas, she eventually blacked out, only to awaken to a scene of distressing bleeding.
Jessica sought her mother’s assistance, leading to a chain of events where medical professionals intervened. Concerns were raised about the nature of the medications administered by Lucas, prompting further consultations and examinations. Ultimately, it was confirmed at the ELWA Hospital that Jessica had suffered a miscarriage.
During the trial, just as the Judge was about to adjourn the hearing, the defense counsel requested a continuance to prepare their witnesses for the ongoing proceedings.
As a result, the trial is set to resume at a later date.
