Skip to main content

Court Grants Beyslow Separate Trial

Miata Beysolow
The assigned judge at the Criminal Court "C" Temple of Justice, Peter Gbenewelleh, has granted request made by indicted former Commerce Minister Miata Beysolow to have a separate trial.
The former Commerce Minister and other government officials were indicted by the LACC on charges including misapplication of entrusted property, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation and violation of required Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) procedures.
Judge Peter Gbenewelleh said based upon the averment of the movant and that of the resistance to the motion there was only one issue determinative of the facts and circumstances contained in the motion whether or not she was entitled to a separate trial on the defenses contained in the motion.
He further indicated on Thursday that: "the motion filed by the movant meets the statutory and constitutional requirements under our law, practice and procedures."
"The records showed that the co-defendant's statement and defenses are hostile and antagonistic to the defenses of the other co-defendants as evident on the face of the indictment and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) investigative report," he added.

According to him, this was in cognizant of the Supreme Court of Liberia's opinion found in the case: William Bryant vs Republic of Liberia, 6LLR, 128, syllabus 9. He noted that the Supreme Court's opinion states that: "when several defendants are jointly indicted, a motion for severance trial should be granted as a matter of rights if, upon the face of the indictment there is no casual connection between the party of the indictment and the LACC's investigative report".
Accordingly, regarding said issue, the court maintained that the motion by the defendant for severance was a pretrial motion that does not require entering into plea of guilty or not guilty, but rather a testimony of the movant "which are patently hostile and antagonistic" to the other.
Moreover, the judgement of the judge to grant former indicted Commerce Minister severance trial was as a result of a 13 count-motion filed on the 9th of April 2016 on grounds that her defenses clashed with other co-defendants regarding the indictment.

She noted that the persons so charged are separate and distinct individuals, the differences of the accused are not the same and there is not a causal link between the movant's conduct and the conducts of the other co-defendants.
However, prosecution also filed a motion to dismiss motion earlier filed by defense council on May 11, 2016 on grounds that the request made by the co-defendant was intended to frustrate and delay the trial.
Prosecution said: "it serves to prejudice respondent since substantial amount of additional resources will be required to prosecute the same case twice, adding that respondent will be deprived of the opportunity of establishing a conspiratorial link between the movant and other co-defendants if granted the motion.
"None of the others has entered a plea to set forth any defense that may clash with or be antagonistic to the defenses of the movant," the prosecution added. Meanwhile, the court said it is a fundamental principle of the law that every person charged with a crime shall have the right to free, fair, impartial and speedy trial as guaranteed by the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

President George Weah's One Day National Forum Successfully Attended by 26 Political Parties

On Thursday, August 8, 2018, President George Weah had a sit down with 26 political parties of Liberia.  The meeting aimed at advancing ideals that promote the spirit of national unity and political tolerance between opposition political parties and the government.  ANC, LP and UP attended the meeting as a team. According to Deputy Minister Eugene L. Fahngon, Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs at Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism, all 26 political parties attended and participated from start to finish.  Even though, social media was buzzing about AB Dillion walking out of the meeting, he walked out as an individual and not a political party, "the invitation was extended to political parties and not to individuals," Minister Fahngon stated in his live video.  Each political party gave ideals and recommendations, which made the meeting a great success.  According to  Deputy Minister Fahngon, "there will be future engagements as such.&quo

Liberia: Top 7 Iconic Music Videos Directed by Jackie Russ

​By Robert Serge Saint-Pe Alex Nyenga, alias, Jackie Russ has enjoyed a seven-year stint as a videographer which has put him behind the camera of numerous memorable Liberian music videos, earning him several nominations and awards. He has again proven himself as a top-notch video director over the past months, which has landed him nominations for the 2021 MTN – Liberian Music Awards (MLMA) for Best Music Videographer and the 2021 Liberian Entertainment Awards (LEA) for Video Director of The Year.  Even if Jackie Russ is not a familiar face, he is definitely a household name who has worked with many top Liberian artists and influential celebrities. One of his unhighlighted gesture is that he gifted Caroline M. Moore, better known as MC Caro with her first ever music video for her song “Bring Our Money Back” in 2018. Here is a look at the top seven iconic music videos directed by Jackie Russ. 7. Christoph Ft. Margas – Hold Your Polaruh (2016) “Hold Your Polaruh” was directed by Christoph

J Flow Stands in her Garden of Eden as Eve in Creative Photo

J Flow is all legs as she posed as Eve in her garden of Eden, wearing nothing but plantain leaf. Sexiness to the highest degree. Check out the full image below.