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| Africa: West |
| BBC calls ’Jail Ivory Coast policeman’ |
| 2004-01-21 |
| "The accused intentionally caused [Jean] Helene’s death, his intention was clearly determined," prosecutor Lieutenant Roger Koffi told the court. Sergeant Theodore Seri has denied killing the Radio France Internationale (RFI) Abidjan correspondent. Correspondents say the killing was a sign of anti-French feeling. - Obligatory hate crime angle. His family has demanded compensation of $275,000. Sergeant Seri admitted struggling with Helene but says the fatal shots did not come from his gun. However, police officers testified that a bullet was missing from Sergeant Seri’s kalashnikov rifle. A ballistics expert said the gun could not have gone off unintentionally. Won’t be seeing this one on New Detectives. The BBC’s Lara Pawson in Abidjan says there is concern that the trial could spark violence. Some lawyers fear that the case will be politicised by lawyers defending the accused. Safe bet - this media circus in Ivory Coast won’t be shoving Michael Jackson and Kobe Bryant out of the headlines. |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #1 Note - the French family could have done better if they filed a civil suit in Mississippi, where thejuries are bodacious. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-1-21 9:17:41 PM |