In a striking turn of events, former Chief Justice of Liberia, Gloria Musu Scott, has been sentenced to life in prison along with three of her relatives following their conviction in murder case.
The verdict, delivered by Criminal Court ‘A’ Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie has sent shockwaves through the nation, marking a significant fall from grace for the once-revered legal luminary.
In his sentencing on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 Judge Willie upheld the Jurors’ majority “guilty verdict” describing the crime of murder as a grave crime.
The case revolved around the murder Charlotte Musu, a stepdaughter of former Justice Scott in what was by some witnesses as described as a “carefully orchestrated” crime.
The trial, which began June 2023 featured gripping testimonies and extensive evidence that ultimately led to the conviction of Scott and her three relatives – Gertrude Newton, Alice Johnson, and Rebecca Youdeh Wisner.
What happened?
According to the indictment, on February 22, 2023, at about 10:00 PM, Cllr. Gloria Musu-Scott, Gertrude Newton, Alice Johnson, and Rebecca Youdeh Wisner, “with criminal intent, armed themselves with a sharp instrument believed to be a knife and pepper spray.
They willfully, intentionally, purposely, and maliciously inflicted several bodily injuries on Charlotte Musu, including her chest, right hand, left thigh, and left armpit, leading to her death.
However, the defendants were charged on allegations of Murder, Criminal Conspiracy, and giving a false alarm to police thus violating Title 26, chapter 14, section 14.1; Chapter 10, section 10.4; and Chapter 12, section 12.33 of the new penal law of Liberia and committing murder.
Defense team disagrees
The defense said former Justice Scott and others are being wrongly accused of a crime they know nothing about and that the State has failed to go after the main perpetrators.
Throughout the trial, Scott maintained her innocence, vehemently denying any involvement in the murder. 10 of the 11 jurors voted in favor of the prosecution.
A member of the defense team Cllr, Augustine Fayiah to the Voice of America Wednesday that they will be taking an appeal to the supreme court because his clients were wrongly judged.
The verdict has sparked a mix of reactions across Liberia, with some expressing relief that justice has been served, while others express disbelief and disappointment in the downfall of a former Chief Justice.
Civil society groups and legal experts are calling the trial a landmark moment in Liberia’s legal history, highlighting the country’s commitment to holding even the highest-ranking officials accountable for their actions.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this unprecedented trial, questions arise about the impact on Liberia’s legal system and the need for reforms to prevent such abuses of power in the future.
The fall of Gloria Musu Scott serves as a cautionary tale, a stark reminder that, in the pursuit of justice, no one is above the law.
