MONROVIA – A court in Liberia has ordered a native of Arnaudville, Louisiana, United States, Mr. Lucas Richard, jailed, pending trial on charges of criminal attempt to commit murder and aggravated assault, Smart News Liberia (SNL) has reliably gathered.
Authorities announced on 16 September that police had arrested and were investigating Richard based on allegations that on Thursday, 14 September 2023, at 3 PM, the U.S. citizen drove a Liberian lady, Jessica Lloyd, around Dixville, Caldwell, outside the capital, Monrovia, where he’s reported to have assaulted and injured her, leaving her with lacerations on her neck, in the back of her head and fingers.
Howbeit, today, after being arraigned before the Bushrod Island Magisterial Court, Richard was ordered remanded at the Monrovia Central Prison pending court trial, SNL has been reliably informed.
His trial date was not immediately announced, but sources within the Judiciary Branch of the Liberian government hinted to SNL that Richard, who is serving the Creekside Church in Iowa, USA, as a Missionary to Liberia, would receive a speedy trial.
A statement issued today by the Ministry of Justice and released to the press, confirms Richard’s incarceration, indicating that he was duly processed by the court and remanded at the Monrovia Central Prison, located in the south-central region of the Liberian capital city.
Meanwhile, Richard has denied ever attempting to murder Lloyd, with the Creekside Church which he serves as Director of Administration for The Indigenous Mission in Liberia, releasing a statement on its official Facebook page that their Missionary (Lucas) was attacked and robbed in Liberia on the day of the alleged attempted murder incident.
In its statement that has been brought down from its Facebook page, Creekside Church is coveting the prayers of others for Richard and his wife, Lois Richard.
“Lucas was attacked and robbed in Liberia today. His phone and money were stolen and their vehicle damaged,” the Creekside Church statement noted in part, with the church promising to release additional information should it receive more details on the matter.
But the victim of the attempted murder, 21-year-old Lloyd, explaining her ordeal allegedly at the hands of Richard, spoke from her hospital bed recently and confirmed that she was attacked by the 32-year-old U.S. citizen, with whom it is believed she has a romantic relationship.
