By Jacqueline Dennis
MONROVIA – State lawyers representing the government in an alleged murder trial involving three defendants, Kennedy Victor, Nathan Clement, and Benedict Kemmie, have questioned the hung verdict brought down by trial Jurors at Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
State prosecutor informed court that one of the defendants standing trial pleaded guilty in open court, for the five jurors to returned with a not-guilty verdict; prosecution will go beyond the reason, the fact, and the circumstances as to how they returned with a “not-guilty verdict.”
The state prosecutor stressed that even if it requires security scrutiny by investigative call logs, for all of the jurors, because they were not sequestered. The prosecution will report the matter to the Ministry of Justice.
While the defense called on the court to hold the Prosecuting Attorney in contempt of Court for threatening the jurors in these proceedings.
The defense lawyer further said that the action of the prosecution is strange, and the action of the prosecution will embarrass the jurors for providing service to this Court and all other Courts in Liberia.
Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie after listening to both parties, said under the law and practice, when trial jurors are selected, except if either of the parties observes any unethical conduct and brings it to the attention of the Court, whatsoever verdict it brings remains authentic and accepted by the Court.
He said it is strange and very unethical for jury to bring down a verdict and a Counsellor-At-Law questions the authenticity or in what form and manner the jurors have brought down a hung verdict and to say you will call for call log to investigate and as well carry the matter to the Minister of Justice, this practice is not call for in the law.
Judge Willie said, the defense counsel has asked the Court to hold practicing counsel in contempt, “This Court has continuously said in these trial that it will not do so. However, the appropriate action will be taken in due course,” noted
The three defendants, Victor, Clement, and Kemmie, were standing on trial for the alleged Crime of Murder and Criminal Conspiracy. Based on the hung verdict by the Jurors, the case will be retried with new jurors sitting on the panel.
