What Are Our Court Thinking? Accused Child Rapist Set Free Because of No Interpreter

Another judicial outrage. Suspects rights trump victims rights again. So a suspected child rapist makes it through high school and community college and conveniently cannot understand English when charged with a crime. Mahamu Kanneh, a Liberian national who was accused of repeatedly raping a 7 year old girl, Judge Katherine Savage dismissed the charges and set this suspected child predator free because they could not find an interpreter. Under the right to have a speedy trial, a judge allowed a suspected child rapist to go free.

Charges against a man accused of repeatedly raping and molesting a 7-year-old girl were dismissed last week because the court could not find an interpreter fluent in the suspect’s native West African language. Mahamu Kanneh, a Liberian native who received asylum in this country and attended high school and community college here, according to The Washington Post, was denied a speedy trial after three years awaiting a court-appointed interpreter who could speak the tribal language of Vai. (Fox News)

What makes matters worse is that Mahamu Kanneh and his defense attorney gamed the American legal system. Kanneh was granted asylum in America, went to high school  and community college and spoke to detective, but some how when confronted with a legal charge is unable to speak the language.  

The trial date was extended repeatedly as the state and the defense argued over whether Kanneh needed an interpreter and whether he understood the legal proceedings. The state noted that Kanneh attended high school and community college in Montgomery and spoke to detectives in English. The defense insisted that he needed an interpreter to fully understand the proceedings. (Washington Post)

So much for the rights of the victim and her right to justice and protection.

According to witnesses who originally reported the case to authorities, Kanneh allegedly repeatedly raped and sexually molested the girl, a relative. In a statement made by the girl to police, she said she had been told she’d be forced to stay in the apartment unless she had sex with Kanneh.

UPDATE I: Prosecutor Appeals After Judge Drops Rape Charges Against Liberian Over Lack of Interpreter