MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Monrovia City Court has ruled in favor of the government of Liberia in the ongoing investigation into the Capitol Building arson case, involving defendants Thomas Etheridge and Eric Sasay. The ruling, delivered by Stipendiary Magistrate L. Ben Barco on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, determined that the prosecution had successfully presented a prima facie case. This means the defendants will be required to answer further to the serious charges against them.
The case stems from a devastating fire that broke out at the Capitol Building in Monrovia on December 18, 2024. The blaze caused extensive damage to the building, including the destruction of the Joint Chambers and the iconic dome, which disrupted legislative activities for a significant period. The prosecution alleges that Etheridge and Sasay were involved in a plot to set the fire, having conspired to purchase gasoline, which they used to carry out the attack. In addition to the arson charges, the defendants are also accused of assaulting a police officer during the incident, leaving the officer unconscious and stealing his firearm.
During the preliminary hearings, the prosecution presented a series of testimonies from witnesses who corroborated the details of the crime. These accounts provided a clear picture of how the defendants and their co-conspirators managed to gain access to the Capitol Building with the intent of disrupting legislative sessions. The court also reviewed evidence gathered from the scene of the fire, including electronic data, which the prosecution argues directly ties the defendants to the crime.
In his ruling, Magistrate Barco emphasized the strength of the evidence presented by the prosecution, noting that unless effectively countered by the defense, it stood as solid proof. The court has now ordered that the case be moved to the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Court “A” for further proceedings, where a more in-depth review and trial will take place.
The fire at the Capitol Building shocked the country, and the subsequent investigation has been closely followed by the public. The damage caused by the fire, continues to have significant repercussions for the functioning of the legislature.
