The trial of six people accused of attempted murder of Rumbek’s Catholic Bishop-elect Christian Carlassare started on Monday, about 10 months after he was attacked and badly injured in Rumbek, Lakes State.
Fr. Carlassare was shot on both legs by the attackers at his residence on April 25, 2021, and was later transferred to Nairobi, Kenya for further treatment. One of the priests in Rumbek, Fr. John Mathiang, is among those facing trial.
On Monday, the High Court in Juba Monday started the court proceedings but it was cut short after the prosecution could not present a key piece of evidence, according to defense lawyers.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday at the court premises, one of the defense lawyers Malith Duk, representing the six accused, said: “Today’s session was good, only that there were some other things that were not present, such as the video of the victims to show that the victims existed.”
Duk said the video could not be played because the court lacked the necessary equipment, a projector, and a laptop.
The defendants pleaded innocent to the accusations labeled against them and Duk said it is still too early to determine the fate of the case as the hearings just began.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) the case is still the prosecution case, still on their side. If they bring the video and present that video of the victims then we will go into issues.”
During submission, the prosecution presented exhibits including weapons, ammunition, clothes, and shoes allegedly found at the crime scene.
The prosecutor declined to make a public statement saying they will only talk to the media after the case comes to a close.
Earlier, Lakes state police said they had arrested more than 20 suspects in the case.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj while receiving treatment at a hospital bed in Nairobi last year, Fr. Carlassare said he had forgiven the culprits but that truth must be upheld.
The Italian-born Comboni Missionary was appointed Bishop for Rumbek Diocese on March 8, 2021. His episcopal ordination was scheduled for Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021, but was postponed following the incident.
In Mid-June, the Catholic Church then appointed the Bishop for Wau Diocese Reverend Mathew Remijio as apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Rumbek.