He admits he brutally beat and almost killed Lorna Wade in a fit of jealous rage and for that cruel act, 46 year old Eston Young will spend five years in jail. He pleaded guilty last week to the attempted murder of his common-law-wife of 12 years, but this morning, the Chief Justice rejected that plea and sentenced Young to the five years on a lesser charge for the brutal beating.
Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh refused to accept young's guilty plea because he believed Young, who was undefended, didn't understand the gravity of the charges. Conteh told the court that in the interest of justice, Eston Young needed a lawyer. The Chief Justice called on Richard "Dickie" Bradley who was in the area and he counseled young who agreed to plead down to the lesser charge of use of deadly means of harm with intention to cause grievous harm.
Lorna Wade gave a victim's impact statement and told the court she lives with headaches, has frequent seizures, and is partially blind. But after all
that Conteh told Eston Young that jealousy was no excuse for what he did and sentenced him to five years. That evoked an angry outburst from an emotional Lorna Wade in open court as she shouted "Judge! Five years! Is that what you're gonna give him?!" Moments later a more composed but visibly dejected Lorna told Keith Swift she didn't get justice today.
Lorna Wade, Domestic Abuse Survivor
"I don't think its fair because he got five years and I am living through a lifetime of pain and a lot of things. Five years, I don't think its fair."
Keith Swift,
You feel you didn't get justice?
Lorna Wade,
"No and he pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and his intention was to murder me. I don't feel good because this is attempted murder and the judge said he refused to accept a guilty plea of attempted murder and I don't understand it."
Keith Swift,
Can you now find closure?
Lorna Wade,
"No because I am not satisfied with the outcome of it, I am not satisfied with the time they gave him. Eventhougb on the interview I said two to three years, that is just me, but when I think about other women who would go through what I went through, I don't think he deserves five years."
Keith Swift,
He said he is sorry for what he did. Do you accept his apology?
Lorna Wade,
[Pause.] "No."
Keith Swift,
You told me last week you had already forgiven him.
Lorna Wade,
"Yes I forgave him but then I cannot accept his sorry because I don't think he really means it and if he gets the opportunity to come back after me, he will."
For proof of disparity in the two charges, the maximum sentence for use of deadly means of harm is ten years while for attempted murder, it is life.
