Judge Willie Orders  Prosecution Technicians’ Removal

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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: The Capitol Arson trial took a dramatic turn on Wednesday, December 3, when Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie issued a firm ruling on several objections raised over defendants’ statements and later ordered two prosecution technicians removed from the courtroom.

By Benjamin Quaye Johnson

Earlier in the proceedings, Judge Willie ruled that several statements the prosecution sought to introduce through its first witness — LNP Crime Services Division officer Raphael Wilson — would not be admitted into evidence.

Citing Section 25.2 of the Civil Procedure Law of Liberia, the Judge stressed that documents must be properly identified and supported by witness testimony before they can be marked or admitted into the court’s records.

However, he clarified that statements made by the defendants themselves, while “in the dock,” could be marked and presented to the jurors, provided the prosecution properly authenticated them through its witness.

Responding to the defense’s argument that the statements were extracted through torture, Judge Willie noted that both Criminal Court “A” and the Supreme Court had already ruled on the matter. He emphasized that the defendants were represented by legal counsel during the police investigation and that any allegations of mistreatment should have been raised at that time. The Judge also referenced medical reports in which the defendants reportedly denied being tortured — findings that were upheld by the Supreme Court.

Before the ruling, defense lawyers had raised multiple objections during Officer Wilson’s direct examination. They contended that the defendants did not write the statements attributed to them; that some attorneys who represented them during the investigation had been imposed on them; that the statements were irrelevant and improperly served; and that the documents were the product of coercion and torture.

The prosecution countered that the defense had “missed the legal timing” for such objections and argued that the disputed issues had already been addressed and settled at higher levels of the judiciary.

Tensions escalated when the prosecution introduced a laptop intended to display video and audio recordings they described as key evidence. Defense counsel objected to the introduction of the equipment, prompting Judge Willie to immediately bar its use. He then ordered the two technicians who had begun setting up the device to leave the courtroom.

With the evidentiary dispute unresolved, Judge Willie postponed the matter to Tuesday, December 9, at 9:00 a.m., when the prosecution is expected to continue with its first witness under increased scrutiny.

The Capitol Arson trial continues to draw nationwide attention as debates over procedure, admissibility, and the integrity of evidence grow more intense with each hearing.