For the murder of Charloe Musu, former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott and three of her family members were found guilty in a historic decision by Liberia’s Criminal Court ‘A’ and given life sentences. The sentencing was imposed by the court on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
The Offense
The day Charloe Musu was murdered was February 22, 2023. Throughout the trial, the defendants refuted the accusations, and the only witness to testify on behalf of the other three was Cllr. Scott. Former Chairman of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Cllr. Jerome Verdier accused Jefferson Koijee, the mayor of Monrovia City, of planning the assault and killing of Charloe Musu at her home. What is astonishing about the accusation is that Chaloe Musu and the Mayor have no prior connection and the former Chief Justice is not a major political player in Liberia. But there have been links between the former wife of Cllr. Verdier and the Mayor.
The Hearing
Both the prosecution and defense presented powerful stories and testimonials during the five-month trial. The defense attempted to refute the prosecution’s assertions that Charloe’s death was premeditated.
The Decision
On December 21, 2023, 11 out of the 12 jurors reached the conviction decision. The prosecution’s testimony, which outlined the circumstances leading up to Charloe’s death, was seen more convincing by them. Rebecca Youdeh Alice Johnson and Gertrude Newton were found guilty of murder, criminal conspiracy, and setting off false alarms to law enforcement officials in addition to Cllr. Scott.
The Penalty
After reviewing the probation officers’ pre-sentencing investigative report, Judge Roosevelt Willie imposed the sentence. The report suggested that since none of the prisoners had a criminal history, Judge Willie should be lenient. In the end, nevertheless, the judge decided not to consider the report.
The Repercussions
The defense attorneys have filed an appeal of the judge’s ruling. There is reportedly a fifty-count petition challenging the ruling at the Supreme Court. The accused will likely get a punishment from the court following the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s report on fact-finding regarding their behaviors.
Much attention has been paid to this issue on a national and international level, and this trend is probably going to continue while the appeal is being handled.
Liberian-born Emmanuel Orlind Cooper is an accomplished multimedia journalist with extensive experience covering news and stories on a variety of media platforms. Orlind's work frequently demonstrates his profound grasp of the region and its complexity, given his Liberian heritage.
Now residing in Woodbridge, Virginia, he keeps connecting with readers across continents with his perceptive journalism and sharing his viewpoint. He is well-respected in the sector because of his unwavering commitment to honesty and morality, which sets him apart in the field.
Orlind's work is more than simply his job; it's a dedication to giving voice to the voiceless, illuminating unsung tales, and advancing the worldwide conversation on important concerns. His goal as a journalist is to use the media's power to change the world, not just to disseminate information. He is a key player in modern journalism because of the inspiration, education, and engagement that his work consistently provides.