Monrovia – Former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott, shortly after her release from prison, has called for a concerted effort to combat injustice in Liberia. Justice Scott and three female relatives had spent over a year at Monrovia Central Prison following accusations of murdering Charloe Musu, her 29-year-old adopted niece.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Addressing the media at her Sinkor home, Justice Scott expressed gratitude to the lawyers who provided pro-bono services and urged civil society organizations (CSOs) to intensify their advocacy and offer legal aid to the many innocent individuals still imprisoned.
She stated, “I want to thank the lawyers and the civil society organizations for their support. However, there is still a great deal of injustice in this country. If they could do this to me, what about the young man from Bokonjehlay? What about someone in Sinoe, Karloken, or Lofa? I celebrate today, and my family celebrates, but the work is far from over. Many innocent people remain in jail…”
Justice Scott, 70, one of Liberia’s high-profile politicians and lawyers, along with her relatives – Ma Rebecca Youdeh Wisner, 80, Getrude Newton 36, and Alice Alice Johnson, 20 was sentenced to life in prison By Criminal Court A Judge Roosevelt Willie in January 2020 following the jury’s guilty verdict.
I want to thank the lawyers and the civil society organizations for their support. However, there is still a great deal of injustice in this country. If they could do this to me, what about the young man from Bokonjehlay? What about someone in Sinoe, Karloken, or Lofa? I celebrate today, and my family celebrates, but the work is far from over. Many innocent people remain in jail…
Gloria Musu Scott, former Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Liberia
Prosecution had accused the quartet of murdering Musu with kitchen knives. Musu had suffered wounds to her chest, right hand, left thigh, and left armpit after being stabbed with a sharp instrument, believed to be a knife, the indictment alleged. The former chief justice denied the charge, saying the 29-year-old had been killed by an “assassin” who had entered her home.
‘No Sufficient Evidence’
In the verdict delivered by Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, the Supreme Court found the jury’s decision was based on circumstantial evidence, which lacked direct support and failed to identify the specific individual responsible for the murder.
The Supreme Court’s Verdict read: “WHEREFORE, AND IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, the final ruling of the trial court confirming the verdict of the jury is hereby reversed. The appellants, Gloria Musu Scott, Ma Rebecca Youdeh Wisner, Getrude Newton and Alice Johnson are ordered immediately released from further detention at the Monrovia Central Prison and their civil rights, liberties and all other constitutional and statutory rights are hereby immediately restored. AND IT IS HEREBY SO ORDERED.”
Legal analysts had speculated that the Supreme Court might overturn the lower court’s decision. During the Supreme Court hearing on July 16, 2024, state prosecutors acknowledged that the conviction was based on circumstantial evidence. During the arguments, Cllr. Bobby Livingstone, the lead government lawyer, argued that the case relied on circumstantial evidence since the defendants did not identify the perpetrator. Circumstantial evidence, while suggestive, does not directly prove a fact but allows for logical inference.
Former Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh, the lead defense lawyer, countered by challenging whether the state had met the standard of proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” and whether a prima facie case had been established against the defendants.
The Supreme Court agreed with the defense’s arguments, stating that the circumstantial evidence provided by the state failed to connect the crime to a specific individual among the four accused.
In addition, the Supreme Court criticized the state’s failure to produce the weapon used in the murder and highlighted inconsistencies in the evidence, including conflicting testimony about DNA found on the deceased. The court also considered the possibility that a professional criminal could have entered the home, given previous reports of attempted intrusions.
Gov’t lawyers fined
In a separate matter, state lawyers failed to appear before the Supreme Court, resulting in fines for Solicitor General Cllr. Augustine Fayiah ($100) and Minister of Justice ($200). Cllr. Fayiah later disclosed a conflict of interest, as he had previously served as defense lawyer for Cllr. Scott before his appointment as Solicitor General.
Verdict garners mixed reactions
Following the High Court ruling,Jubilation ensued on the grounds of the Supreme Court of Liberia and the premises of the Monrovia Central Prison. The celebration was preceded by a triumphant procession from the Central Prison to Justice Scott’s home in Sinkor. There, she thanked her families, CSOs and over 34 lawyers who represented her.
While many welcome, the ruling, others expressed misgivings.
“The death of a little girl in the CDC and UP political arena, an endless battlefield, is a heartbreaking tragedy that highlights the unfortunate reality that in Liberia, politics often triumphs over fairness and justice. While the parents grieve in sorrow, politicians continue to argue and point fingers. Liberia is plagued by a lack of compassion and a twisted sense of justice. May God bring peace to the mourning family. Without true justice, there can be no peace in Liberia,” wrote John Morlu, former Auditor General of Liberia.
WHEREFORE, AND IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, the final ruling of the trial court confirming the verdict of the jury is hereby reversed. The appellants, Gloria Musu Scott, Ma Rebecca Youdeh Wisner, Getrude Newton and Alice Johnson are ordered immediately released from further detention at the Monrovia Central Prison and their civil rights, liberties and all other constitutional and statutory rights are hereby immediately restored. AND IT IS HEREBY SO ORDERED.
Supreme Court’s Verdict
Elpaulay Jackson, wrote on Facebook: “Gloria Scott most likely did not kill that child, but it is hard to say or argue that there isn’t some degree of complicity on her part… Whether by sheer silence or deliberate attempt to shield the perpetrator, she had a role to play. However, I detest the fact that this issue became a political football and that the sentencing was kinda murky, but there is no way she will ever know peace. Ms. Scott will forever remain imprisoned in her heart and for the rest of her existence! Ms. Scott just left prison but can NEVER be a free woman.”
George F. Bundor added: Justice will never favor the poor and some of us believe that she was going to be let free as long as she is a unity partisan, the poor girl spirit has to revenge on her behalf not Liberia justice system
But Eli Papay Yormie, also responding said: “The essence of prosecution is to see that justice is done, and justice was carried out today. My best wishes and cooperation to the civil obedience status quo of my country Mama Liberia. #So Help_Me_God”
Willie Tokpah and Victoria Wesseh contributed to this story.
