-Lucas denies aborting Jessica’s pregnancy, but

By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I

In the ongoing attempted murder trial at the Monrovia Criminal Court “B”, before his honor Judge Nelson B Chenneh, the American boyfriend of 21 years old woman Jessica Lloyd, Lucas Richards who is on trial for attempting to murder his Liberian wife Jessica Lloyd has denied forcibly aborting Jessica’s pregnancy.

The American Missionary Lucas Richards testified on Monday, March 25, 2024, that his medical conditions cannot allow him to produce a child. A condition which he said Jessica is aware of.

He told the open court that he has a medical condition that caused him to be erectile dysfunctional, stating that before he experiences erection he must take Penile Injections to have his penis erected and subsequently take phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors to increase testosterone in his blood cells to facilitate ejaculation.

“I am erectile dysfunctional. Before my penis erects, the doctor has to inject me and before I experience ejaculation, I have to take pills to facilitate the erection process.” Lucas told the court.

Based on his condition, he said Jessica proposed to him that she wanted to be a surrogate mother for any future child he would have. He said that based on Jessica’s proposal to him, he informed her that he was going to have his wife informed.

A surrogate mother is a woman who is often paid to give birth to a child by incubating a sperm cell in her womb for a married couple who may have a medical condition that prohibits them from bringing forth their child.

However, He stated that while waiting for his American wife to respond, Jessica’s family requested that he should dowry their daughter, and while in the process the incident occurred.

“While waiting for my wife to respond, Jessica’s family requested that I should dowry their daughter, and while in the process the incident occurred. At no time have I ever used any object or substance to terminate her pregnancy.”

However, when Jessica Lloyd took the witness stand on Friday, March 22, 2024,

she revealed that after realizing she was pregnant, she informed Lucas, who appeared elated by the news. Lucas then provided her with financial support to seek immediate medical attention at the ELWA Hospital, where he also received treatment.

She narrated the events of August 31, 2023. On that fateful day, Lucas visited her at home and expressed his intention to provide her with medication due to her pregnancy symptoms. Despite her trust in him, Jessica soon found herself in a disturbing situation. After being administered medication and injections by Lucas, she eventually blacked out, only to awaken to a scene of distressing bleeding.

Jessica said she sought her mother’s assistance, leading to a chain of events where medical professionals intervened. Concerns were raised about the nature of the medications administered by Lucas, prompting further consultations and examinations. Ultimately, it was confirmed at the ELWA Hospital that Jessica had suffered a miscarriage.

Meanwhile, testifying at Criminal Court B, Defendant Richards further explained that on September 14, 2023, in the Dixville Community, while he and his fiancee were riding in his car he noticed that the tire of the vehicle was experiencing some mechanical problem.

Based on that he decided to park his vehicle to repair the issue with his car tire.

According to him, when he and Jessica disembarked from the vehicle, she went to the back of the car while he was lying under repairing the vehicle.

While Jessica was standing at the back of the car, defendant Richards claimed he heard the heavy and loud sound of a motorcyclist attempting to hold the brake of his motorbike.

Afterward, defendant Richards claimed he immediately left from under the car and saw his fiancee in the dish with the bike lying on her. While the motorcyclist was trying to remove the bike from his fiancee, he said the motorcyclist began to shout, “The motorbike guy took the bike from on her and he started shouting for people to believe that I was the one who had attempted to kill my wife,” Richards narrated.

While shouting, Lucas said he saw an angry crowd rushing toward him and Jessica so he pulled off from the scene leaving Jessica amid the angry crowd, and immediately reported himself to the police station.

But during the direct examination by her lead lawyer, Cllr. Gongloe, Jessica narrated that on September 14, 2023, Lucas visited her home and asked her out. While they were on their way, they made a stop at a local supermarket in Gardnersville to buy some groceries. Jessica testified that during their journey, she started experiencing stomach pains and informed Lucas about it. Lucas then provided her with a different medication, assuring her that it would alleviate the pain.

Describing their further movements, Jessica recounted how they drove to a waterside where they encountered some at-risk youths and sought directions from them. She recalled feeling uneasy as Lucas mentioned carrying a knife in case of encountering a snake. Despite her fear, they proceeded to a crowded waterside area. Feeling apprehensive, Jessica suggested they leave, but Lucas insisted on staying briefly. Subsequently, Lucas claimed to have spotted a snake and urged Jessica to approach him, but she refrained due to fear.

Jessica mentioned that while driving through Dixville, Lucas remarked on the peaceful nature of Liberia and suggested visiting a cemetery, which she declined. As they continued their journey, Lucas encountered an issue with his rear tires, prompting a stop for repairs in Dixville. During this stop, Lucas handed Jessica an iron tool, indicating dirt in her hair. After attending to her hair, Jessica recalled feeling a sudden sensation behind her head, leading to her collapsing on the grass with her body experiencing a current-like sensation and her eyes involuntarily opening and closing.

According to her account, as she lay on the ground, she attempted to sit up, but Lucas pushed her back down. Despite her injuries, she reassured him that she was fine, hoping he would leave her alone. She described seeing Lucas looming over her, and when another boy approached, she falsely claimed Lucas was her husband to protect him. As she tried to reach a nearby car, Lucas struck her with it, causing her to start bleeding. Thankfully, a kind stranger provided her with a cloth to wrap around her neck and assisted in getting her into a keke.

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