Suspect Re-Arrest Stirs Clash By: Yassah J. Wright
The release of Thomas Etheridge, one of the suspects accused of allegedly burning the Capitol Building, in the commission of crimes that threaten the National Security of Liberia, took a dramatic twist. Etheridge was order released by Criminal Court ‘B’ resident circuit Judge, KoboiNuta, after his legal team headed by Cllr Jonathan Massaquoi and Elisha T. J. Forkeyoh, filed a writ of Habeas Corpus. Unfortunately, after his released, Etheridge was later arrested by another court, 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. 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 him 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 claimed 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 release by Judge Nuta, the sheriff of the Monrovia City Court served Etheridge with the writ of arrest. While serving Etheridge the writ, he felt off and after 30 minutes, was rush to AMI Hospital for further medication. The government in response described Etheridge’s lawyers (Massaquoi and Forkeyoh) claim that their client was arrested in December 2024, are “false and misleading.” Montserrado County Attorney Richard Scott stated that suspect Etheridge was arrested in January 2025, on Friday, January 10. 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, the Liberia National Police and the National Security Agency are integrity institutions; as such, they apply professionalism on their respective duties.
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