A Direct Examination Of Prosecution Witnesses Continues
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JSUTICE. Monrovia – Criminal Court “A“ was a scene for drama during the ongoing Capitol Building arson trial, amid disputes over a video footage displayed.
The controversy came on Tuesday December 23,2025, when an image similar to a Chinese national which was ascribed to one of the defendants, Thomas Etheridge, following a question asked one of the jurors.
Former Speaker and three other sitting Representatives Dixon Seboe, Jacob C. Dabee and Abu B. Kamara are being tried along with Thomas Etheridge, Kivi Bah alias Kaba, Jerry Pokah alias Tyrese, Stephen M. Broh, John Nyanti, Eric Susay, Christian Kofa and others.
During the direct examination of prosecution’s first witness, Reafeal Wilson, who alleged that a video shown in court captured Defendant Thomas Etheridge, along with other yet-to-be-identified individuals, vandalizing some part in the Joint Chamber of the Capitol Building. Wilson pointed out Etheridge as one of the persons in the video footage.
Howbeit, his testimony was immediately challenged by one of the trial juror, who openly disagreed with the witness’s identification of defendant Etheridge. In his challenge of the video presented by prosecution witness, the juror boldly told the court that the individual shown in the video did not resemble Etheridge; but instead “looked like a Chinese person,” raising doubts about the credibility and clarity of the footage.
The challenge intensified following a PowerPoint presentation of the video evidence. One juror informed the court that he could not clearly identify any of the defendants from the footage as earlier referenced by the witness.
The juror subsequently requested that the video be rescreened to enable him to make an informed and independent assessment.Even though photographs extracted from the Liberia National Police (LNP) status report had already been marked and admitted into evidence, the court granted the juror’s request.
Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie then ordered that the video be rescreened on Tuesday morning. Defense counsel raised no objection to the court’s ruling.
When juror continued to press the prosecution witness, he admitted uncertainty regarding the exact date Defendant Jerry Pokah was arrested, though he maintained that Pokah was taken into custody in 2025, following statements made by another defendant.
After nearly a weeks of both direct and cross-examination by the prosecution and defense, the court formally discharged Reafeal Wilson as the prosecution’s first witness and the second witness is expected to start testifying on Monday December 29,2025.
After the discharge of prosecution first witness, they requested for continuance on ground that their second witness was out of the court bailiwick and their second witness wasn’t adequately prepared to take the stand on that Tuesday of December 23,2025.
The defense strongly opposed to prosecution request contending that the prosecution was deliberately attempting to delay the trial and deprive the defendants of their constitutional right to a speedy trial. Defense lawyers further argued that the prosecution had nearly ten listed witnesses, any of whom could have been called to testify.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Willie overruled the defense’s objection and granted the prosecution’s request for continuance.
Proceedings were thereafter suspended for the Christmas holiday and to resumed this Monday 29,2025.