The supreme court of South Sudan has overturned the conviction of a priest who was found guilty of involvement in the shooting of Bishop Christian Carlassare of Rumbek.
Bishop Carlassare was shot and wounded in April 2021, shortly after he had been named to become Bishop of Rumbek. His ordination was postponed until March 2022 as he recovered from the wounds.
Father John Mathiang Machol, who had been diocesan coordinator at the time of the shooting, was sentenced in 2023; prosecutors charged that he had been part of a conspiracy against the appointed bishop. He was set free on March 23 after the high court’s decision.
“The Supreme Court ruled that Father John was innocent,” his lawyer told reporters. “There was no evidence to show that he was part and parcel of the crime.”