Assassin handed death sentence over Kator shooting

The Mobile Court at Juba Central Prison on Thursday sentenced a former policeman to death and his two associates to four years in jail for killing a man inside the Kator B Court two years ago.

Inmate Emmanuel Lado was found guilty and handed the death penalty for murdering a young in premises, according to section 206 of the South Sudan Penal Code Act.

Judge Joshua Lado also convicted Atiya James and an unnamed partner in crime to four years while acquitting another man identified only as Younis of all charges.

Armed with rifles, the former officer and his associates reportedly stormed Kator B. Court in June 2021, and opened fire, killing a 25-year-old man under unclear reasons.

Six others were also wounded in the shooting rampage that disrupted the court session and created panic among the area.

Juba Police later arrested the police officers as prime suspects behind the murder.

Godfrey Victor Bulla, the defense lawyer of the victims, said after the verdict was pronounced yesterday.

“Today the court has passed the verdict, by convicting the first and the third accused -Atiya James and Gasim to four years in jail and the fourth accused Emmanual Lado was sentenced to death.”

“During the trial, the court found that the deceased was shot by Emmanuel Lado and found him guilty of the offence of murder under section 206 which carry a death sentence.”

Advocate Victor also said the court has given the family of the victim until August 18th to decide between blood compensation or the death penalty.

During the first trial in January 2023, fourth defendant Emmanuel Lado pleaded guilty to shooting and killing the deceased, while the three others pleaded not guilty.

But in his defense, Lado said he was hired as an assassin, but could not disclose who paid for him to kill.