The Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice has sentenced disrobed police commander Roosevelt Demann to 25 years prison term for the murder of motorbike operator Benyan Lamin this year.But convict Demann’s lawyer Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah has announced an appeal to the Supreme Court against the ruling.
Following the court’s ruling Thursday, 13 September at the Temple of Justice, convict Demann was placed under correction officers’ custody and taken to the Monrovia Central Prison.He will serve 20 years in prison, and the remaining five years on community service if he continues to exhibit good conduct during his prison term.
Cllr. Fayiah, however, says he may not agree with the ruling, but the law has taken its course because he does not expect people to believe in the strength of men but in the rule of law.However, he hinted of exercising his right under the law by appealing to the Supreme Court. According to him, he is of the view that the State did not prove the “intent” for the crime the suspect has been convicted for.
He claims the sentence was unrealistic. “When … someone is charged for infamous crime, whether they plead guilty or not, that plead, it does not mean anything because the court will set that plead aside and enter the plea of not guilty. So whether he plead guilty or not, the State must still prove the case,” he argues.
In consultation with his client, Cllr. Fayiah says the indictee “has taken the risk of appealing to the Supreme Court,” noting that whether there is a risk of [getting greater penalty] or not, that is his right.Cllr. Fayiah sought a manslaughter charge against convict Demann instead of murder, but he fails to convince the court during trial.
Disrobed officer Deman who commanded the Tortoise Base Police Depot in Redlight, Paynesville, shot dead Lamin following a night – time chase on Sunday, 29 April over alleged violation of traffic regulation. Demann shot his own hand to depict an exchange of gunfire with the deceased.
But police investigators say no danger was posed to convict Demann to prompt the shooting and killing of 39 – year – old motorcycle operator Beyan Lamin in Paynesville.He murdered the victim before his family after an encounter at the Parker Paint Intersection where Demann informed the deceased that he was under arrest for violating government regulation banning motorcycles in the area. Defendant Demann allegedly used excessive force on 29 April resulting to the death of victim Lamin, a resident of the Soul Clinic Community.
By Winston W. Parley
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