Lawyers representing several defendants in the ongoing Capitol Building arson trial have decried high human sureties’ bond imposed by the presiding judge in the trial.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Temple of Justice, August 1, 2025: The presiding judge of Criminal Court “A”, Roosevelt Z. Willie, at the Temple of Justice, has placed a high demand on human sureties of several defendants in connection with the fire incident at the Capitol Building.
The defense team, representing defendants Thomas Etheridge, Christian Nyanti, and Christian Koffa, has made significant efforts to secure their clients’ release by submitting a bond of US$6 million in response to the allegations.
However, the restrictive conditions imposed by Judge Willie have been met with dismay from legal representatives, who contend that the new requirements imposed on defendants’ sureties are high.
Judge Willie has mandated four sureties for each defendant, along with proof of property ownership, among other things.
This unexpected escalation from the previously established two sureties has led many in the community and the legal profession to wonder.
Since their arrest, the defendants have consistently maintained their innocence, asserting that they are not involved in the alleged Capitol Building fire incidents.
The case is expected to be placed on the docket for the August Term of Courts. All eyes are now set on the Judiciary to see the outcome.- Edited by Othello B. Garblah.
