The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice has officially charged and sent to court Lucas Richard, the American citizen accused of slitting Jessica Lloyd’s throat. Lucas doubles as a missionary in the area with the Creekside Church.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Justice, Lucas was on Tuesday arraigned before the Bushrod Island Magisterial Court on charges of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, and Aggravated Assault.

Defendant Lucas Richard was duly processed and remanded at the Monrovia Central Prison to await trial.

On Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 3 PM, it is alleged that suspect Richards drove the victim, Jessica Lloyd, around Dixville, Caldwell, where he attacked and injured her, leaving her with lacerations on her neck, the back of her head and fingers.

Victim Lloyd is currently undergoing treatment at the John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital, while Suspect Richards is detained at the Monrovia Central Prison awaiting court trial.

Meanwhile, Lucas has since denied the allegations levied against him by the state.

Despite being legally married in the United States, Lucas came to Liberia as a missionary and got into a romantic relationship with the victim after he went ahead to marry her traditionally by paying her dowry.