(LINA) – Supreme Court of Liberia Justice-in-Chamber Justice Joseph Nagbe has cancelled Criminal Court “A” Presiding Judge Roosevelt Willie’s decision to release on bail Oliver Dillon who is being tried for murder.
Justice Nagbe ruled that Judge Willie was in error to have granted suspect Dillon lawyer’s application for bail, claiming that the burden was on prosecution to prove their allegation as well as the fact that the crime was a capital offense as provided by law.
He stated that the presumption is great; as such suspect Dillon cannot be placed on bail, meaning that prosecution was under obligation to establish murder against the defendant which they did.
Justice Nagbe further ruled that he agrees with prosecution that proof is evident and that Criminal Court “A” should be allowed to proceed with the matter consistent with law.
Following the presiding Justice’s decision, the defense lawyer failed to take an appeal before the full bench in order to allow the case to proceed at the Criminal Court “A” consistent with the law.
Judge Willie restored Dillon’s freedom on Tuesday, May 8, claiming that proof is evident and the presumption is not great to warrant his detention at the Monrovia Central Prison as provided by Chapter 13, Section 13.1 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Liberia.
It was a motion to bail filed by lawyers representing the accused.
Suspect Dillon was arrested by police on April 12, for allegedly killing one Emmanuel Koffa who is believed to be a Car Loader in the Gardnerville area.
Justice Nagbe on May 15 held a conference with government and defence lawyers in connection with suspect Dillon’s release by the Criminal Court ‘A’ Presiding Judge Willie.
Meanwhile, Justice Nagbe has finally ordered Judge Willie to resume jurisdiction over the matter.
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