Peter Bon Jallah, standing trial for alleged gang rape, statutory rape, and kidnapping of a 16-year-old boy, has taken the witness stand and accused investigators of deliberately placing his DNA on the teenager's clothing to implicate him in the case. Jallah denied all charges, stating he was elsewhere when the alleged assaults occurred and insisted he did not know the teenager. His testimony in Criminal Court "E" revealed that police had obtained his saliva sample during the investigation, which he claims was used to connect him to clothing recovered from the alleged survivor.
Jallah's allegations focus on the handling of DNA evidence, a significant component of the prosecution's case. The Liberia National Police had custody of his DNA sample, which was matched to clothing examined by the Rwanda Forensic Institute. The forensic report indicated that a male DNA profile from a white T-shirt, black T-shirt, shorts, and boxer shorts matched Jallah's DNA profile. However, Jallah disputes the laboratory's conclusion, suggesting his DNA could have been placed on the clothing after investigators obtained his saliva sample.
The defendant also denied being present during any of the alleged assaults, which the teenager testified occurred on three occasions: twice at Jallah's residence in November and December 2025, and again in January 2026 at a building on Camp Johnson Road. Jallah claimed he was in the Mikey Gray Community on Du-Port Road with his partner and her family on the relevant date and presented phone records to support his alibi. He further questioned the teenager's description of his residence and the accuracy of the alleged events.
Jallah rejected the prosecution's account of his relationship with the teenager, denying that the boy was familiar with his residence or performed chores there. He also denied giving the teenager LD$1,500 to dispose of garbage, calling the allegation untrue. The prosecution had relied on testimony from the alleged survivor, police investigators, and medical personnel, as well as the forensic findings linking Jallah's DNA to the clothing.
The defendant's testimony also challenged the interpretation of medical evidence presented in the case. Jallah argued that the medical findings only indicated signs consistent with penetration and ejaculation but did not independently establish that rape occurred. He questioned the ability of the Rwandan forensic examiner to determine whether a sexual assault had occurred, maintaining that the expert's role was limited to the scientific examination of evidence.
Jallah's testimony came after Criminal Court "E" Judge Wesseh Alphonsus Wesseh Sr. denied his motion for a judgment of acquittal. The defense had argued that the teenager's descriptions of the alleged crime scenes did not correspond with observations made during the court's visit to the locations. With the motion denied, Jallah took the stand to present his defense and directly challenge the evidence and testimony presented by the prosecution.
The trial continues with the DNA evidence now central to the defense's claims. Jallah faces charges of gang rape, statutory rape, and kidnapping, and has pleaded not guilty. Two other men allegedly linked to the January incident have not been arrested and were charged in absentia. The court will determine the validity of the DNA evidence and its implications for the case.
Key points
- Defendant Peter Bon Jallah accuses police of planting his DNA on the victim's clothing.
- Jallah denies all charges and claims he was elsewhere during the alleged assaults.
- The trial continues with the DNA evidence central to the defense's claims.
