MONROVIA – The prosecution in the alleged murder case involving the former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott, along with three of her relatives has withdrawn their Motion for Change of venue filed before Judge Roosevelt Willie of Criminal Court “A,” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
Former Chief Justice Scott and three other defendants, Gertrude Newton, Rebecca Youdeh Wisner, and Alice Johnson were indicted by the Special Grand Jury for Montserrado County for the alleged crimes of Murder, Criminal Conspiracy, and Making False Statements to Law Enforcement Officials.
It can be recalled that state prosecutors filed a motion for a change of place/venue and prays for the court to grant the motion to transfer the trial to another jurisdiction outside of Montserrado County.
The prosecution says that evidenced by conspicuous public sentiments, vis-a-vis and the constant discussion of the case on local Liberian radio stations, and if the case is heard within the jurisdiction of Montserrado County, there is the likelihood of local prejudice, public sentiments, and insecurity, which could hurt the trial proceedings.
According to the prosecution’s motion during the hearing of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, bystanders in the courtyard and some sympathizers in the court were murmuring about the case.
The prosecution indicated in their motion that spectators including supporters of the defendants, while others were in the courtyard discussing the merits of the case as said acts are legally unacceptable and counter-unproductive to the conduct of an impartial trial.
The defendants were denied the right to bail at the Monrovia City Court on June 21, 2023, and when they were committed to jail for the first time at the Monrovia Central Prison, hundreds of unidentified people stormed…
