-Defense Appeals Verdict as Convicted Teen Threatens Suicide Following Sentencing
VOINJAMA, LOFA COUNTY – Resident Judge Nancy Finda Sammy Kparkillen of the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Lofa County has upheld a jury’s guilty verdict against Kollie Morris, an 18-year-old convicted of murder and aggravated assault in connection with the death of Olaman Kpakolo, 55.
The ruling effectively affirms the jury’s findings and imposes a sentence of life imprisonment for murder in addition to five years’ imprisonment for aggravated assault.
The case attracted considerable public attention due to the seriousness of the offenses and the significant age difference between the convicted defendant and the victim.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Morris was accused of carrying out a fatal attack on Kpakolo, which ultimately resulted in the victim’s death. Prosecutors also charged him with aggravated assault arising from the same incident.
After hearing testimony and reviewing the evidence, the jury found Morris guilty on both counts, concluding that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
In upholding the verdict, Judge Kparkillen rejected arguments advanced by the defense and ruled that the evidence supported the jury’s findings.
Defense Takes Case to Supreme Court
Despite the conviction, the legal battle appears far from over.
Defense counsel Cllr. Tobey J. Raynes has reportedly filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Liberia, challenging both the conviction and the sentence.
According to reports, the defense intends to argue that Morris was allegedly provoked by the victim prior to the incident. The appeal is also expected to question the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death, including claims that Kpakolo did not die immediately after the attack and was reportedly taken to a medical facility alive.
The defense further alleges that the victim was not attended to promptly after arriving at the hospital and was only pronounced dead several hours later.
Legal observers note that appellate proceedings will likely focus on whether any errors occurred during the trial and whether the evidence presented was sufficient to sustain the conviction.
Convict Threatens Suicide
Meanwhile, in remarks to Radio Kintoma News, Morris spoke publicly for the first time since the verdict and expressed despair over the life sentence imposed on him.
“I am unable to be in just one place for my entire life. If the court could say that I should be killed by hanging, that would have been alright for me,” Morris reportedly said.
He continued: “I am the only child for my mother, who is mentally ill, and my father is dead. I can’t make it; I will kill myself.”
The comments have sparked concern among some residents and observers, who say prison authorities should ensure that the inmate receives appropriate monitoring and support while in custody.
Murder Convictions and Sentencing in Liberia
The ruling comes against the backdrop of Liberia’s evolving legal framework regarding capital punishment.
Although the death penalty remains on Liberia’s statute books for certain offenses, the country is widely regarded as abolitionist in practice. Liberia acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2005, signaling its commitment toward the eventual abolition of capital punishment.
While the death penalty was expanded under legislation enacted in 2008, the move attracted international criticism. In July 2022, the Liberian Senate passed legislation supporting the abolition of the death penalty, reflecting the country’s gradual shift away from capital punishment.
As a result, courts frequently impose life imprisonment in cases involving the most serious criminal offenses.
Search for Closure
The latest ruling brings to a close the trial phase of a case that has generated considerable attention in Lofa County.
For the family of the deceased, the verdict may provide a measure of closure after a lengthy judicial process. For Morris, however, the case now moves into the appellate stage, where Liberia’s Supreme Court will ultimately determine whether the conviction and sentence should stand.
Until then, the life sentence imposed by the Circuit Court remains in effect.
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