In a historic ruling, Justice Cosmotina Jarrett has delivered a verdict of acquittal and discharge for Pastor Daniel Frank, who had been on trial for alleged sexual penetration of a minor. This high-profile case has garnered widespread attention and debate.
The alleged incident, dating back to a period between January 1st and December 31st, 2016, occurred in Freetown, shaking the community. Mr. Frank was accused of engaging in sexual penetration with a minor, a violation of the country’s legal framework.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented a case supported by five witnesses, including the alleged victim, her aunt (who is also the accused’s wife), members of law enforcement, and representatives from the Rainbow Centre.
The heart of the prosecution’s argument was the claim that the minor had been residing with the accused and his wife at the time of the alleged incident. However, in 2017, the accused’s wife left their matrimonial home, taking the alleged victim with her. Consequently, the minor started living with her biological father and stepmother.
Troubling signs in the child’s behavior prompted the stepmother to seek medical assistance at the 34 Military Hospital. A medical examination confirmed signs of sexual tampering, leading the minor to identify the accused as the perpetrator. The family and church elders confronted the accused, who vehemently denied the allegations. Efforts to resolve the matter outside the judicial system proved fruitless.
Justice Cosmotina Jarrett, presiding over the trial, meticulously examined the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses. During cross-examination, significant inconsistencies and contradictions in their statements emerged, undermining the credibility of their claims.
In a pivotal moment, the court determined that the prosecution had failed to establish the case beyond a reasonable doubt, a fundamental requirement in any criminal trial. The Judge also expressed reservations about the reliability and truthfulness of the second, third, and fourth prosecution witnesses.
Justice Cosmotina Jarrett commended the efforts of both the Defence Counsel, led by Lawyer Abraham Kargbo from the Legal Aid Board, and the State Prosecutor, Yusuf S. Koroma, for their diligent work throughout the proceedings. Given the shortcomings in the prosecution’s case, the Learned Judge ultimately acquitted and discharged the accused, bringing an end to a controversial and closely-watched trial that has left many in the community with mixed feelings.
