Through their attorneys, the family of the late Valentine Johnson has asked Criminal Court ‘A’ Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie to release their late son’s body from the funeral home in the ongoing case involving EPS Agent Patrick Kollie.
Prosecutors claim that the deceased’s family is paying hefty costs to maintain the body in the funeral parlor. Judge Willie turned down the prosecution’s motion to provide the dead Valentine Johnson’s body to his family so they may bury him.
The judge’s decision is based on the defendant’s defense attorneys have not presented any evidence that will help the trial, which is now taking place at Criminal Court ‘A’ at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
Defense attorneys stated that they did not raise any objections after the application. The body will be kept until after the defendant has shown evidence if they choose to do so since it is within their rights, Judge Willie remarked after consulting with all sides.
Therefore, Judge Willie stressed, “the application for the release of the body, for the time being, is hereby refused until the defendant has submitted his evidence if they so wish.”
Doctor Joseph N. Siaway, one of the prosecution’s six witnesses, stated that on July 4th, 2022, after receiving the patient’s report and examination, “I pronounced him dead before arrival and issued a certificate.” There was also no heartbeat, no respiratory rate, and no pulse, and his pupils were dilated and thick.
The body had no rise and fall in the chest wall, according to witness Siaway, but there was blood on the left frontal parietal area and another wound in the back of the victim’s head at the oxittipus.
The prosecution’s attorneys presented both oral and written evidence, and they asked the court to allow all types of evidence into evidence, including the complete case that was filed and indicated to be a significant part of these proceedings.
The prosecution has not raised any objections to the motion for a continuance made by the defendant, thus it is recorded and granted; as a result, these proceedings are hereby stopped and rescheduled for Friday, December 9, at 10:00 am, Cllr. Richard Scott.
Reported by G. Watson Richards
Contact: +231880381808
Email: richardswatson96@gmail.com
