By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia– After sentencing former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott to life imprisonment on Tuesday, January 9, 2023, defense lawyers have taken exception to the sentencing by Criminal Court ‘A’ Judge Roosevelt Willie and they say they are filing an Appeal to the Supreme Court of Liberia.
The ex-Chief Justice and three of her family members were earlier brought down guilty by the Jury before their sentencing for murder.
Cllr. Gloria Scott, Getrude Newton, Alice Johnson and Rebecca Yonder were convicted on December 21,2023 on charges of Murder, Criminal conspiracy and making false statements to law enforcement officers. Jury Hands Down Guilty Verdict For Ex-Chief Justice Gloria Scott And 3 Others – News Public Trust
In his sentencing statement Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, ruled that Jurors’ verdict was in line with the evidence produced by prosecution and prosecution pleaded their case beyond reasonable doubt.
Ex-Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott
But the defense lawyers have taken an appeal to the Supreme Court of sitting in its March term of Court.
The pre-sentencing investigation done by the probation officer at the Ministry of Justice was read in open court and the report indicated that all of the four defendants do not have prior criminal records before this murder trial.
The pre-sentencing report by the probation officer further recommended that based on the investigative report, the court should take judicial notice while sentencing the defendants since they do not have prior criminal records.
The investigative reports included accounts from the late Charloe’s father, the Chairman of Cllr. Scott’s, and a few neighbors who all spoke positive things about the defendants.
The Liberia former Chief Justice was indicted by the ground jury of Montserrado County on June 28,2023 for the crimes of murder, criminal conspiracy and making false statements to law enforcement officer.
The sentencing was based malice established by jurors with a statement that what I been afraid of, it has happened.
When the case was call to trial, former Chief Justice Scott and three other family members pleaded not guilty on August 28,2023, to the crime charged by the government of Liberia.