PHOTO: “Prayer Warrio”r Martha Doe at the prison in upper Buchanan
By King Brown, sarwahking@gmail.com
BUCHANAN, Liberia — In a landmark decision, Liberia’s Supreme Court has overturned the murder conviction of Martha Doe, a 65-year-old prominent prayer warrior in Grand Bassa County.
The reversal, issued by Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh on August 28, 2024, has led to Mother Doe’s immediate release from prison.
Prayer worrier Martha Doe had previously been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Grand Bassa County. This conviction stemmed from charges of murder and kidnapping related to the death of Joseph Blama.
The lower court’s decision was delivered by Judge Joe S. Barkon in October 2022 after Doe was found guilty of involvement in the gruesome killing of Blama, who disappeared in March 2022 following a visit to Doe’s prayer group in St. John City.
Blama’s decomposed and partially dismembered body was later discovered in the St. John River, with identification made possible only through his clothing. Throughout the trial, Doe maintained her innocence, asserting no connection to the crime and calling for an investigation of former St. John City Mayor James Emmanuel Brooks, who was also implicated.
Doe’s legal team, led by attorney G. Mat Diah-Kun Tohr, challenged the conviction on appeal, arguing that the evidence against Doe was insufficient to meet the legal standard of proof.
The Supreme Court agreed, ruling that the prosecution had failed to demonstrate Doe’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, Doe’s civil, constitutional, and statutory rights were reinstated.
Martha Doe and James Emmanuel Books set free
The initial trial had concluded with a unanimous guilty verdict for Doe on September 27, 2022. Alongside her, former Mayor James Emmanuel Brooks was also found guilty of criminal facilitation and conspiracy. The trial jurors’ decision had been met with significant public and legal scrutiny.
Judge Kennedy Peadobdy announced the 20 years sentence in keeping with subsections 14.1 and 14.50 of the penal code, consistent with 50.5. while Brooks was sentenced for five years.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, celebrations erupted outside the Upper Buchanan Central Prison, where Doe had been held. The ruling also resulted in the release of former Chief Justice Gloria Musa Scott and three other detainees at the Monrovia Central Prison.
In an unexpected turn, former Mayor Brooks expressed gratitude for his acquittal, highlighting his experiences of public and personal humiliation during the trial.
Brooks publicly criticized the previous administration and commended the current Unity Party government for its role in securing justice. He called for increased support and resources for the judiciary to prevent similar injustices in the future.
The Supreme Court’s ruling dismissed the motion for a new trial, affirming the original jury’s verdict. The legal precedents set by this case highlight critical issues in the judicial process and underscore the importance of evidence-based convictions.