MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Supreme Court of Liberia is set to begin hearing an appeal by former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott and her household members, who were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Charloe Musu. The court’s statement, issued in a notice of assignment, was sent to both prosecution and defense lawyers. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 11:00 am.
On Thursday, January 4, 2024, Criminal Court “A” sentenced former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott, Rebecca Wisner, Gertrude Newton, and Alice Johnson for the murder of Charloe Musu at their Brewerville residence on February 22, 2023. A twelve-man jury trial at Criminal Court “A” found them guilty on December 21, 2023, with eleven jurors voting for conviction and one against.
Throughout the trial, Cllr. Scott’s legal team argued that there were numerous doubts and inconsistencies in the evidence presented against her. They claimed the prosecution twisted facts and selectively presented evidence to bolster their case, casting a shadow of reasonable doubt over the guilt of Cllr. Scott and the others accused.
The defense team highlighted several key points. Firstly, they pointed out that the murder weapon was never conclusively linked to Cllr. Scott or any of the co-accused, arguing that without concrete evidence, the guilt of Cllr. Scott could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Additionally, they contended that the motive attributed to Cllr. Scott was weak and speculative, with no direct witnesses or concrete evidence establishing a clear motive. The prosecution’s reliance on circumstantial evidence, the defense maintained, was insufficient to secure a conviction.
As the trial unfolded, tensions grew within the courtroom. The prosecution presented their witnesses and attempted to build a narrative linking Cllr. Scott and the other defendants to the murder. However, the defense challenged each piece of evidence, cross-examining witnesses with precision and determination. The trial lasted for weeks, with impassioned arguments from both sides, and the media closely followed every development.
Despite the defense’s efforts, the jury ultimately reached a guilty verdict. The presiding judge, while acknowledging the defense’s arguments, concluded that the prosecution had presented a strong enough case to prove the guilt of Cllr. Scott and the three others beyond a reasonable doubt.
