Monrovia – The Capitol Arson trial witnessed renewed authorized stress Monday, December 1, after state prosecutors filed yet one more movement searching for the removing of a seated juror, this time alleging that Juror Antoinette Mulbah is a “CDCian” who supposedly hid political ties through the jury choice course of.
By Willie N. Tokpah
Filed earlier than Legal Courtroom “A”, presided over by Decide Roosevelt Z. Willie, the prosecution claims that Madam Mulbah misled the courtroom throughout voir dire, and may due to this fact be disqualified. Prosecutors say her alleged position as a district coordinator throughout the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) raises questions on her neutrality, notably in a case involving former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa.
Nevertheless, protection attorneys sharply criticized the newest utility, describing it as a part of a “coordinated sample of juror intimidation” by the state. In line with them, the prosecution is making an attempt to affect the composition of the jury after repeatedly failing to offer any professional grounds for removing.
Decide Willie Already Rejected a Related Movement Final Week
This contemporary submitting marks the third consecutive try by the prosecution to unseat a juror.
Simply final week, Decide Willie firmly denied an identical movement by which prosecutors made almost similar accusations in opposition to one other panel member.
Protection attorneys argue that Monday’s movement is just a recycled model of final week’s rejected effort, insisting that the state is “greedy at political straws” as an alternative of specializing in proof within the landmark case.
Protection Says Movement Is Politically Motivated
Counsel for Koffa and the co-defendants stated the prosecution’s claims hinge largely on social media pictures and unverified partisan allegations, far beneath the usual of proof required to take away a sworn juror.
“That is turning into routine,” one protection lawyer remarked. “Each time the state loses a movement, they flip round and accuse a unique juror of bias.
The defendants, together with Hon. J. Fonati Koffa, deserve equity, not politically motivated makes an attempt to reshape the jury.”
Arguments Not Heard, Protection Requests Time
When the matter was known as, the protection requested a continuance to correctly reply to the movement. Decide Willie granted the request and rescheduled arguments for Tuesday, December 2, delaying any quick consideration of the state’s claims.
Courtroom observers say that, given the choose’s agency place final week on related points, the prosecution might once more face issue convincing the courtroom.
The trial continues.
