The Mobile Court in Juba prison on Thursday framed murder charges against four police officers accused of killing a man inside the Kator B Court in 2021.
The defendants, whose names have been withheld stand charged with murder and joining the criminal act.
Presiding Judge Joshua Lado said the four police officers opened fire on a 25-year-old man inside the court compound – and killed him.
However, during the trial on Thursday, the fourth defendant pleaded guilty to shooting and killing the deceased, while the three others pleaded not guilty.
But in his defense, the fourth defendant said he was ordered to shoot the victim.
The judge has adjourned the session to the 25th of this month to hear the defense case of the three accused.
On his part, Godfrey Victor Bulla, the defense lawyer of the deceased said the case portrays police brutality.
“The young man is the victim of police brutality that happened in the year 2021. The police went and open fire on civilian and killed one person,” he said.
“In today’s session the judge framed charges against the four police officers accused of opening fire and killing one person. The three accused pledged not guilty, but the fourth accused pledged guilty of the murder says he was instructed to shoot and that what he has done.”
“The charges framed against the four accused are murder and Joining the Criminal Act under sections 48 and 206 of the South Sudan Penal Act 2008.”