By Mustapha Jallow
Judge Christine Arguello on Monday denied the defendant’s motion for acquittal, ruling that the evidence presented by U.S. prosecutors was sufficient for the case to proceed. The motion was made after the prosecution ended their case.
The defendant (accused) Michael Sang Correa, did not present any witnesses during the court session, and both sides delivered intensive closing arguments. The case is now in the hands of the jury to determine whether Correa is guilty.
In their closing arguments, state prosecutors urged the jury to find Correa guilty on all six charges, citing testimony from victims and expert witnesses, including officials from Homeland Security, who provided evidence that Correa had committed the crimes.
Correa’s defence attorneys countered by arguing that he acted under coercion, duress, and fear, urging the jury to consider these factors during their deliberations.
During the Monday proceedings, retired U.S. Homeland Security Agent Barton Garrison concluded his testimony, presenting audio recordings of Correa’s voice in which he allegedly confessed to torturing victims of the 2006 coup attempt, including the late Pierre Mendy.
The defence team moved for an acquittal, asserting that the prosecution had failed to make out a case. However, Judge Arguello rejected the defense’s motion, ruling that the case would continue.
Agent Garrison was the final witness presented by the prosecution.
The closing arguments heavily relied on the testimonies from victims, including Demba Dem, Alieu Jobe, Tamsir Jassey, Sainey Bayo, Pharing Sanyang, and Yaya Darboe, who shared their experiences during the trial at the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado.
The judge has tasked the jury of twelve to deliberate on the facts and the law she has guided them in order to determine whether or not Michael Correa is guilty. They have to agree unanimously on all counts, which may take a short while or days or weeks. During this period they will be completely isolated.
Michael Correa is charged with five counts of torture and one count of conspiracy to torture.
