By Jacqueline L. Dennis

After the Liberian government fails to prosecute defendant Saah Joseph, who had been placed behind bars for the past seven years, without any court trial for allegedly killing James Beyan, a private security officer assigned with the Management of Ma Kebeh Gas Station in  2017, has walked free from prison.

Saah Joseph was released based on a submission made by state lawyers before Judge Willie to dismiss the case, on the ground that since the indictment the state made every effort to ensure that justice is dispensed freely and fairly but to the contrary, it has not only been difficult but it has also been impossible for the prosecution to have the said matter proceeded with on its merits.

While the lawyer for the defendant said Saah Joseph was arrested in 2017 since then he has been in jail for seven years without trial, and since the government of Liberia dismissed the indictment against the defendant, the defense interposes no objection.

It can be recalled that the Grand Jury for Montserrado County indicted Saah Joseph for the alleged crime of Murder.

The indictment said on February 18, 2017, Defendants Joseph and Jessy Reeves in the City of Paynesville, Montserrdo County, knowingly, purposely, and willfully caused the death of deceased James Beyan, a private security officer assigned at the Ma Kebeh Gas Station.

The indictment further, explained that the deceased told defendant Joseph not to sell within the parameter of the gas station.

While stopping them (Defendants Joseph and Reeves), got allegedly angry and took knives from under their shirts, jumped on, and stabbed the deceased in his neck. According to the police, this resulted to the deceased bleeding profusely, fallen unconscious and later dying.

Following the alleged incident, both men fled the scene went into hiding.