MOJ Suffers Setback As Former Chief Justice, Others Plead against Murder Charge By: Yassah J. Wright

The Ministry of Justice has suffered a serious setback as the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Gloria Musu-Scott and three others including Gertrude Newton, Alice Johnson and Rebecca Youdeh Wisner have pleaded not guilty to the crimes of Murder, Criminal Conspiracy and False Reports to law enforcement officials brought against them by the Government of Liberia.

Cllr. Scott along with her family members made the plead on Monday, August 28, 2023 in Criminal Court “A”  at  Temple of Justice when they appeared and answer to the indictment read by the clerk of court.

State prosecutors however requested for a jury trial and same was granted by Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court “A”.

The court immediately began the process of jury selection and those jurors when selected will served as judges of the fact to either acquit the defendants or find them guilty.

It can be recalled that the special grand jury for Montserrado country, Republic of Liberia, upon their oath do hereby find that the defendants committed the crimes of murder, criminal conspiracy and false reports to law enforcement officials.

“The defendants’ action was in violation of title 26, chapter 14, section 14.1 chapter 10, section 10.4, and chapter 12, section 12.33 of the new penal law of the of Liberia,” the indictment stated.

According to the indictment, on February 22, 2023, at about 10:00 PM, the defendants Cllr. Gloria Musu-Scott, Gertrude Newton, Alice Johnson, and Rebecca Youdeh Wisner, with criminal minds and intent, armed with a sharp instrument believed to be a knife, and pepper spray, willfully, intentionally, purposely, and maliciously inflicted several bodily injuries on the person of CharloeMusu,  including her chest, right hand left thigh, and left armpit, which led to her death, thereby committing the crime of murder.

Count two of the indictment stated that it was on the night of February 22,2023, around the time stated above, after the family had eaten and we’re all in the house, when the security guards assigned to the home of co- defendant Scott, heard crying sounds coming from inside the house.

As the sound got louder, security guards Anthony Musu and Zion Tarr, approached the room window of co- defendant Scott and in that process they saw co-defendant Scott, and upon seeing them, she started screaming for help saying ” that the people on us in the house!” Also seen in the bathroom with co- defendant Newton was Charloe Musu, now deceased.