TUBMANBURG, Bomi – Jonathan Williams, who is on trial for the death of Super FM journalist Tyron Brown, has admitted in open court that he stabbed the victim three times in a fight, but insist it was in self-defense. The defendant made these statements at the 11th Judicial Circuit where the case is currently being tried.
Speaking on Friday, Feb. 28 after took the stand to testify on his own behalf, Williams recounted that on April 15, at about 11 p.m., he was informed by his niece that an unknown person was knocking at their window, so he decided to come out to know what was going on.
“So I decided to check outside, but I took a knife with me because too many criminal activities go on in our community,†Williams told the court.
The suspect said that when he came out, he noticed that Brown was standing in the compound without any apparent purpose, which then prompted Williams to ask the journalist questions. According to Williams, Brown then started insulting him, which then resulted in a fistfight between the two men.
“Instead of him responding politely, he decided to insult me, so I told him to leave the compound and he refused,†Williams said.
As the two men tussled, suspect Williams said he felt suddenly overpowered by the journalist, which prompted him to pull out a knife and stabbed Brown three times in the back, hoping only to scar him or temporarily disable him. But the stabs were more serious, leading to major wounds.
Williams said when he attempted to rush the victim to the nearby Kingdom Care Clinic, he was cautioned by an unidentified man not to do so out of fear of being linked to Brown’s death. Williams recounted dumping the journalist’s body on the roadside close to the medical facility.
The trial, which commenced on Monday, Feb. 23, is proceeding without a juror, based on Williams’ request to Judge Nancy Sammy. Government lawyers did not object to the request for a bench trial.
Williams is challenging government lawyers to prove murder against him, based upon intent. In response, government lawyers, headed by Cllr. Wesseh A. Wesseh, have lined up three key witnesses – Joanna Brecewell, Massa Kennedy, and Ceaser Kennedy who had already given testimony implicating Williams.
The government’s lead prosecutor, assistant justice minister for litigation Wesseh, is being supported by Cornelius F. Wenna, and the Bomi county attorney, Abraham Tamba Gboree. The defense is represented by Jimmy Bombo, Lawrence Tamba, and Steven Kai.
Brown was murdered on April 15, 2018, in a case that initially sparked concerns over the safety of journalists in the country. As investigations have proceeded, it has become apparent that there is no link between Brown’s murder and his work. The trial will resume on Monday, April 2 at the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Tubmanburg, when the defense team is expected to call its witnesses.
Featured photo courtesy of Never G. Lomo
