Liberia: Kailondo Jr. Bailed after ‘Reckless Discharge of Firearm’

George B. Kailondo, Jr.

... Kailondo’s son, George B. Kailondo, Jr., is being prosecuted for aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person's life in violation of the  Penal Law - Title 26 - Liberian Code of Laws Revised. 

The Monrovia City Court has released the son of business tycoon George Kailondo on bail without entertaining any arguments from the prosecution.

Magistrate Jomah Jallah's decision came after Kailondo Sr, and his lawyer, Cllr. Alhaji Swaliho A. Sesay was visibly spotted in and out of the magistrate's office during the conduct of a  preliminary hearing into the case. Kailondo’s son, George B. Kailondo, Jr., is being prosecuted for aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person's life in violation of the  Penal Law - Title 26 - Liberian Code of Laws Revised. 

The action by Kailondo Jr., which involves the reckless discharge of fireman a is misdemeanor of the first degree since it creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another.”

According to Section 14.23 of the Penal Law,  “A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to another. There is risk within the meaning of this section if the potential for harm exists, whether or not a particular person’s safety is actually jeopardized. Recklessness and a substantial risk shall be presumed where a person knowingly points a firearm at or in the direction of another, whether or not the actor believes the firearm to be loaded.”

However, Jallah, during the case preliminary hearing, without hearing any argument from the prosecuting lawyer, released Kailondo Jr., on bail after asking him whether he was aware of his right to bail as provided by the law. The magistrate then instructed Kailondo Jr. to go home, since bail has been filed on his behalf. However, Jallah did not release any information regarding the condition of the bail, its monetary value, and the name of the surety. 

Kailondo Jr., whose court return date has not been set, was charged by the Liberia National Police who claimed that he recklessly discharged a fireman that nearly cost Mohammed Kamara his life.  The incident happened on October 7 around Carey and Center Street, according to the police. Kamara, the police said was shot in the stomach — suffering serious bodily harm that has resulted in hospitalization. 

“On October 8, defendant George Kailondo, Jr., was arrested and informed of his constitutional rights, was investigated and subsequently charged with the crimes possession and sale of physical objects for lethal use, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person’s life.

“The defendant purposely, knowingly, and recklessly took a pistol from victim Kamara and while playing with said pistol, the pistol fired from defendant Kailondo Jr., hands and the bullet hit victim Kamara in the stomach and was immediately rushed at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center, undergoing treatment,” the police said in a chargesheet report.. 

“The victim, including all witnesses present at the time of the shooting incident indicated that it was Kailondo, Jr., who did the shooting that severely injured Victim Kamara.”

According to the police, coupled with his testimony, as well as other witness testimonies and the evidence adduced, the investigation has resolve to charge defendant with the crimes of possession and sale of physical object for lethal use, “aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person’’ in violation  of chapter 17, 14 section 14.2 and section 14.23 of the revised penal code of the Republic of Liberia.”