Lucas Richards to Face Legal Action in the U.S.

The Solidary and Trust for a New Day (STAND) Movement has announced in Monrovia that LUCAS Richards, the American Missionary accused and later acquitted of attempted murder of Jessica Lloyd, will be prosecuted in the United States for his crimes committed against Miss Lloyd. Speaking to reporters at the crime scene in Palm Farm Community, Dixville, Montserrado County, STAND Chairman, Mulbah Morlu, described the ruling from the Liberian Court as barbaric, cruel, and beyond the imagination of mankind. 

According to him, Miss Lloyd could be anyone’s child, sister, or daughter and should be protected at all times but, regrettably, people sat back and watched Jessica and her family go through unforgettable pain. 

“We have concluded with partners in the United States and other American lawyers for the prosecution of Mr. Lucas Richards in the United States. This matter is not about America but one man attempted killing an innocent lady in cold blood and broad daylight, but our judge says he’s not guilty. He will not go with impunity. We will use the laws of America to seek justice for Jessica Lloyd.  

The verdict came after a legal battle between the prosecution, represented by the Government of Liberia, and the defense, representing the accused. Richards’ acquittal from the charge of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder was met with curses from his accuser, Jessica Lloyd, in a dramatic scene outside the Temple of Justice following Judge Nelson Chinneh’s final ruling. 

In his ruling, Judge Chinneh noted that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient and that the witnesses’ testimonies contradict each other. The discrepancy in testimonies led the judge to conclude that Richards was not guilty of the crimes of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder. 

Morlu said Judge Nelson Chinneh is a corrupt judge who should be ejected from the justice system of the land and that ruling against Miss Lloyd has exposed how compromised Judge Chinneh had been. 

In September 2023, Jessica Lloyd, a young Liberian lady, nearly lost her life when her throat was slit by an American missionary named Lucas Richards. Lucas was sent to Liberia by Creekside Church in Urbandale, Iowa, to support the church’s work in rural Liberia, and Jessica was his student. 

Although legally married in the US, Lucas married Jessica at a traditional Liberian wedding in Monrovia in the presence of her parents and other family members. Jessica became pregnant with Lucas’ child, but he illegally administered medication to abort the pregnancy and continued to be involved with her. 

When the church in Liberia became aware of Lucas’ affair with Jessica, he attempted to kill her by the roadside with a knife and also physically attacked her with a wrench. However, he was caught in the act and apprehended by passersby, who handed him over safely to the Liberian National Police.