City Court Rules Against Defendants -In Capitol Building Fire Accident By: Yassah J Wright

Magistrate L. Ben Barco has ruled in favor of the state in the Capitol Building Arson case involving defendants Thomas Etheridge and Eric Sasay. Etheridge and Sasay were later arrested by the Monrovia City Court, based on a request from the government, charged with Arson, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Solicitation, Criminal Intent to Commit Murder, Aggravated Assault, Illegal Possession of Firearm. According to the City Court Judge, Section 12.2 of the Criminal Procedure Law provides that “The accused shall be before answering the above legal question, we shall look at the applicable laws and the afforded a preliminary examination after his/her first appearance before the magistrate or justice of the peace.  If the magistrate or justice of the peace determines that a prima facie case has been established against the accused, the magistrate or justice of the peace, shall hold him/her to answer the facie case is (a case) evidence sufficient to establish the fact unless rebutted.”  That Supreme Court opined that a Prima that all Prosecution needs to establish is that a crime was committed, and that it is likely that the accused might have committed the crime. The standard in establishing a prima facie case is not proof beyond reasonable doubt but a determination as to the existence of a probable cause- that is, a reasonable ground to suspect that a person has committed a crime. See the Ninth Edition of Black’s Law Dictionary. The allegation in this complaint is that the above-named defendants of the City of Monrovia criminally conspired and connived to purchase gasoline which they used to set ablaze the Capitol Building, thereby destroying properties in excess of eight million United States Dollars, according to Prosecution first witness.  They are also accused of having criminally attacked a police officer to the effect that he was left unconscious and his firearm stolen.  The accounts of all three of Prosecution witnesses are corroborative insofar as they relate to the narratives as to how the defendants and their co-conspirators gained access to the Capitol Building, with the sole purpose of disrupting attendance of law makers having sessions in the Joint Chambers.  Judge Barco said, in their attempt to establish the existence of a prima facie evidence, Prosecution presented evidence which they collated from the crime scenes and electronic gadgets, Unless these species of evidence are properly rebutted, they stand tall as factual.  It would therefore be a in the interest of justice to allow the defendants to appear in a superior court to establish their innocence. Therefore, it is the holding of this Court that Prosecution has established a prima facie case, such that Defendants can be held to further answer to the crimes as charged. Wherefore and in view of the foregoing, the Clerk of Court is hereby ordered to transmit the records of this case along with the defendants to the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Court “A” and it is hereby so ordered. It can be re called that the released of Thomas Etheridge, one of the suspect accused of allegedly burning the Capitol Building, in the commission of crimes that threaten the National Security of Liberia, took a dramatic twist on yesterday. Etheridge was order released by Criminal Court ‘B’ resident circuit Judge, Koboi Nuta, after his legal team headed by Cllr Jonathan Massaquoi and Elisha T. J. Forkeyoh, filed a writ of Habeas Corpus. After where, the Sheriffs from Criminal Court “B” refuse to turn suspect Etheridge over to the Sheriffs of the Monrovia City Court, which led to a serious argument that lasted for almost two hours between both Sheriffs of the various courts. Immediately after hearing about his arrest, Etheridge rejected to receive the writ of arrest, and subsequently thrown himself on the floor, leaving unconscious. When it was noticed that Etheridge was not responding, armed officers of the police, who had escorted him to the court, immediately rushed him to the AMI Hospital on 1st Street, Sinkor for medical attention. Etheridge, lawyer Massaquoi claim that his client was arrested on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, between the hours of 6:10am- 7:00am, and has been in custody same then. Interestingly, following Etheridge’s released by Judge Nuta, the sheriff of the Monrovia City Court served him (Etheridge) with the writ of arrest. While serving Etheridge the writ, it was how he felt off and after 30 minutes, was rush to AMI Hospital for further medication, ɓy armed police officers. Up to press time Etheridge’s health status is unknown. The government in response described Etheridge’s lawyers (Massaquoi and Forkeyoh) claim that their client was arrested in December 2024, are “false and misleading.” According to Montserrado County Attorney, Richard Scott, stated that suspect Etheridge was arrested in January 2025, particular or specifically Friday, January 10, 2025. On the accusation of compelling Etheridge to testify against himself, in the absence of his lawyers, the state lawyers argued that “It is malicious for the Petitioner to claim that he has been compelled to make false statement against himself.” They further argued that the Ministry of Justice,Liberia National Police and the National Security Agency are integrity Institutions; as such, apply professionalism on their respective duties. They argue that given due regard to the National Security concern that the said Thomas Etheridge is involved with. it is not lawful for Petitioner Counsels to claim that the Liberia National Police and the National Security Agency (have circumvented the law and constitution and subject the alleged suspects to torture and inhumane treatment.