JUSTICE: Married US churchman’s arrest for grievous assault and attempted murder of his African lover sparks protest by Liberians…

By Willie N Tokpah and GNN Liberia

URBANDALE, Iowa — A group of Liberian immigrants gathered outside an Urbandale Church in the United States last Sunday, demanding justice after an American missionary previously connected to the church was arrested for the attempted murder of an African woman believed to be his lover in the West African country.

About a dozen people stood across from Creekside Church calling for justice for Liberian national Jessica Lloyd.

Lucas Richards (32), a married man, was arrested and charged with the crimes of attempted murder and aggravated assault after allegedly attempting to harm Lloyd, who was believed to be his girlfriend on September 14.

Following the police information, Creekside said Richards no longer represented the church or received their support. Church officials said they were working with the US State Department to address the allegations.

The church also apologised in a statement, saying its original social media post calling for prayer made it seem they were insensitive to the victim and the Liberian community. It said that was not their intent.

Local advocates said they gathered to keep the story alive as Lloyd recovered in hospital.

“We need accountability. We need for justice to be served. And then we need for Jessica to get proper medical treatment,” a member of the gathering said.

Last week, the State Department told KCCI they were aware of reports of the arrest of an American citizen in Liberia, but declined to comment further.

Meanwhile Richards has been remanded to custody pending trial by the court.  According to information contained in the police charge sheet, the investigation uncovered a complicated relationship between defendant Richards and alleged victim Lloyd. The two individuals had apparently been involved in a romantic relationship that began at the YWAM Bible Mission, where Lloyd was a student, and later extended to a more personal level, even involving Lloyd’s personal diary.

During the course of their relationship, Lloyd informed Richards that she was pregnant with his child. However, on September 14, Richards allegedly administered medication to terminate the pregnancy. He then went to the home of Lloyd’s parents and informed them that he was taking her out to console her. However, his true intentions appear to have been quite different.

Police investigations have revealed that –  contrary to the information provided to the victim’s family –  Richards was apprehended in the Palm Farm Community near the Early Memorial School while allegedly attempting to harm Jessica Lloyd. He was reportedly in the act of inflicting a wound at the back of her head and had used a knife to make a small incision on her neck.

This disturbing incident was witnessed by one Ernest Philip, who promptly alerted authorities for assistance, as stated in the charge sheet.

Lloyd herself confirmed the presence of a knife during the incident and recounted how Richards had taken her into the bush, falsely claiming that they were at risk of a snake attack.

Further investigation by the police also disproved the claims made by Richards. A physical examination of the white Land Cruiser he was driving on the same day revealed no issues with the tires, contrary to his assertion that he had been attempting to repair them.

Additionally, the investigation confirmed that witnesses Philip and Abdullai Sheriff were not, as claimed by Richards, motorbike riders seeking to harm Lloyd. The suspect had asserted that he was attempting to rescue Lloyd from their attack.

In the light of this development, Richards’ testimony was deemed to be inaccurate, leading to him being charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault. The court would now proceed with the legal process to determine his guilt or innocence in this case.

Meanwhile, Creekside Church confirmed that Richards, a native of Louisiana, has been connected to the church for years, but issued a disclaimer that he’s not a member of the Urbandale church.

In a message now deleted, the church posted on its Facebook page the day of the incident, coveting the prayers of others for the US missionary and his wife, Lois Richards, indicating that her husband was attacked and robbed.

Creekside Church confirmed that Richards, an American missionary and a native of Louisiana, has been connected to the church for years…

But in a later statement, the church distanced itself from Richards, indicating that “Lucas is not a member of Creekside, but of a church in Liberia which he founded consisting of its own board of elders and accountability structure”.

The church, having realised that its now-deleted Facebook post calling for prayer for Richard and his wife made it seem like the church is insensitive to the victim and that it appeared like it was coming to the defence of the accused, and by extension, was dismissive of his charges, has remorsefully stated that this was not the case.

The church clarified that prayer is its first priority when confronted with a situation such as Richard’s issue, noting that the church is sensitive to Jessica, who also accuses Lucas Richard of perpetrating the act. It said it was seeking the truth in the matter, as it was always its obligation to seek the truth, but that such a task had been made more difficult considering that eyewitness accounts were radically different.

However, the church stated that it trusted the legal system in Liberia to find the truth and render justice regarding the allegations levied against the American missionary.

The church has announced that it had sadly confirmed that Richard had in fact entered into a marriage with Jessica, which neither the church nor his first wife Lois had any prior knowledge of. It noted that having verified Richard’s extramarital affair with Jessica, Richards was ineligible to neither being represented nor receive church support.

Richards is currently in custody pending his trial at a still to be determined date. – Front Page Africa, Smart News and Global News Network Liberian

JOY OF JAZZ CONCERT RETURNS WITH USUAL DIVERSE REPERTOIRE

Variety: sa’s premier musical showcase also features smme boosting market

By WSAM Reporter

Boasting the theme – Feel the Jazz everywhere – South Africa’s premier musical showcase, the yearly Standard Bank Joy of Jazz at the Sandton Convention Centre presents a potpourri of top musical acts to sate even the most discerning jazzophiles.

But the highly diversified variety of jazzy sounds from more than 30 acts is not only back and exciting, as the delectable musical experience has been spiced  with a new small, medium and micro enterprises, SMMEs-boosting innovation called the Jazzy Joburg Market, which is an initiative of the Joburg Tourism Company, supporting local businesses. It is through the Jazzy Joburg Market that various SMMEs and creatives are expected to showcase their diverse range of offerings to the public.

The Market, which is expected to be officially opened by Gauteng Economic Development MMC Nomoya Mnisi  and Johannesburg City Manager Floyd Brink, was previously hosted at the Nelson Mandela Square, and it is known for its commitment to celebrating emerging artists while locals and internationals would be enjoying local cuisine and buying the finest garments and jewellery from local designers and crafters. This year, the Jazzy Joburg Market will feature DJ Happy J, Di Castro, DJ Kenzhero Experience, vocalist Melo B Jones, pianist and trumpeter Me-Ko.

Meanwhile, the main festival will see the likes of Marcus Wyatt, Robert Glasper, Nduduzo Makhathini, Herbie Tsoaeli, Andrea Vollenweider, Billy Monama and more share the stage over two fun-filled nights. Headlining the Dinaledi Stage is Grammy Award-winning Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider and local musicians Ayanda Nhlangothi, Vusi Nhlapo and Vuyo Tshuma.

The Grand Stage will feature trumpeter Marcus Wyatt and guitar maestro Ernie Smith, while the Conga Stage is set to host Grammy Award winner Robert Glasper and other revered contemporary jazz giants. The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz will also pay homage to departed jazz legends with special tribute performances through which veteran guitarist Billy Monama will pay tribute to Allen Kwela together with special guests including Titi Luzipo and Mimi Mtshali, while the Hugh Masekela Band will honour the late South African jazz legend.

For overs of diverse musical tastes, the Mbira Stage will feature the likes of  a Zonke, Buhlebendalo, Max-Hoba, Ami Faku, Langa Mavuso, Samthing Soweto and Simphiwe Dana.