The trial of former Chief Justice Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott and three others facing murder charges resumed on Monday, August 28, taking several twists and turns as both prosecutors and defense lawyers faceoff.
Cllr. Scott and her relatives, Gertrude, Rebecca and Youdew Wisner are on trial for the alleged murder of Charloe Musu and are being tried on charges of murder, criminal conspiracy and making false statements to law officials. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial resumed weeks after prosecution withdrew their motion for a change of trial venue two weeks ago, with a resubmission of the same on Friday, August 25 without any attachments of evidence for such a serious determination, after the case had already been assigned for trial on its merit.
However, the trial proceedings that should have been heard were delayed as the judge had earlier entertained information from the defence that it had filed two applications to the court; one to visit the crime scene and another to conduct an autopsy and or medical examination on the rains of the late Charloe Musu by Defence hired pathologists and forensic examiners, but said information was summarily denied on grounds of being premature, even though neither of the Defence applications were heard.
The motion for change of venue was argued by both sides and denied by Judge Roosevelt Z. Willies based on statutory grounds and the interpretation of said statute by the Supreme Court.
The judge relied on 29 Liberia law reviews to state that the provision of the statute is mandatory and has long been held to be a right to be enjoyed by the accused.
The trial process resumed following the setting aside and denial of the state’s change of Venue or place of Prosecution as the same is not supported by law.Â
Thereafter, Prosecution requested the juror selection which began but was postponed for tomorrow Tuesday, August 29, 2023, after a series of sidebar consultations with the judge.
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