Monrovia – The Assigned Circuit Decide for Legal Courtroom “B” of Montserrado County, Decide Wesseh Alphonsus Wesseh, has rejected defendant Invoice Jallah’s petition for a plea bargaining settlement with the prosecution.
Defendant Jallah, by means of attorneys from the Central Legislation Workplaces, had filed a six-count plea bargaining settlement, claiming accountability for the loss of life of Ms. Princess Zoe, whom he allegedly stabbed a number of occasions at a neighborhood leisure heart on Duport Street, Paynesville, in December 2024. The assault reportedly led to Ms. Zoe’s loss of life.
The prosecution indicted Jallah for homicide, tried homicide, and aggravated assault, noting that he allegedly stabbed a number of others, together with his sister, who tried to intervene and stop the killing.
Throughout proceedings on August 27, 2025, Cllr. Jimmy Bobo, representing the defendant, introduced the courtroom’s consideration to the beforehand filed plea bargaining settlement, meant to mitigate Jallah’s sentencing.
In response, the prosecution, led by Cllr. Isaac William, accepted the plea bargaining instrument however emphasised that the defendant ought to first be arraigned to determine his plea.
Nonetheless, Decide Wesseh rejected the plea bargaining software, stating {that a} trial courtroom just isn’t a celebration to such agreements. The decide additional famous that homicide is a capital offense beneath Liberian legislation, referencing Part 16.4 of the Civil Process Legislation, which permits the courtroom to enter a not responsible plea on behalf of a defendant indicted for a capital offense, even when the defendant pleads responsible, to permit the prosecution to current proof.
The decide subsequently learn the indictment to the defendant, who initially entered a responsible plea. This plea was put aside, paving the best way for the prosecution to current its proof. The trial will proceed with out a jury, following the protection’s waiver of a jury trial. Below Liberian legislation, homicide carries life imprisonment or the loss of life penalty by hanging.
The case has been adjourned to Thursday, August 28, 2025, when the prosecution is scheduled to start presenting its proof.
