By Yassah J. Wright
The Monrovia City Court Stipendiary Magistrate, Ben Barco, has brought down a guilty verdict against former Miss Liberia Second Runner-Up, Kindness Wilson.
Miss Wilson suffered two counts guility verdict: Simple Assault and Disorderly Conduct.
She was found guilty on Monday, March 30, following a year of legal proceedings stemming from an altercation with student Jumel Cox at Stella Maris Polytechnic in March 2025.
Both charges carry the penalty of US$400 fine or four months imprisonment, and US$100 fine or 30 days imprisonment, respectively.
Miss Wilson was ordered to pay two fines of $300 and $75 within 48 hours or serve jail term, and to further publish a public apology in three local dailies to Jumel Cox.
The short video, under 30 seconds, was played three times in a crowded courtroom on the court’s laptop using a USB drive provided by the subpoenaed witness who recorded it.
The clip, which spread widely on social media earlier this year, shows the altercation at the center of the state’s disorderly conduct, and simple assault charges against Miss Wilson.
The submission marks a critical turning point in the case, which has been mired in evidentiary disputes for months.
It follows a mandate issued by Criminal Court ‘A’ Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, who overruled Magistrate Ben L. Barco’s earlier decision denied the video on the grounds of improper authentication.
Judge Willie had instructed that the video could only be admitted if the person, who recorded it appeared in court to authenticate it within two days.
That mandate was challenged by the defense, which filed a petition for certiorari before Supreme Court Justice-in-Chambers Ceaineh D. Clinton-Johnson.
However, Justice Johnson denied the petition and upheld Judge Willie’s ruling, instructing the magistrate to proceed.
The prosecution called the videographer, who testified under oath after being served a writ of subpoena duces tecum and ad testificandum. She confirmed recording the incident and provided the video, which the judge admitted into evidence.
The defense again objected, arguing that the witness should not be qualified and resisting the presentation of the video, but the court dismissed those objections as previously settled by the Circuit Court.
Legal analysts say the video, along with a previous investigative report from Stella Maris Polytechnic University and Miss Wilson’s admission that she slapped Cox, now strengthens the prosecution’s case.
But Miss Wilson Lawyer, Jeremiah Samuel Dugbo, has challenged the ruling before the Justice in chamber.
Atty. Dugbo described the ruling as “legally flawed and excessive,” particularly challenging the monetary penalty.
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