By Naomi Tappia
Liberian Criminal Court Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, this week, handed down a life sentence to the former Chief Justice and others convicted of the murder of her niece, Charlie Musu.
The verdict comes in response to charges that the former High Priest of the court, along with three other women, willfully inflicted fatal bodily injuries on Musu in June of last year.
Police initially charged the former Justice Minister’s only daughter, along with others, alleging a fatal confrontation fueled by rumors of a romantic link between Musu and an official of the government. The incident reportedly escalated into a tragic stabbing, leading to Musu’s death.
Despite the denial of the allegations by the former Chief Justice, who insisted that her niece was killed by an unknown assailant entering her Monrovia home, the trial proceeded with the case drawing significant attention, especially as the accused was a prominent advocate for women’s rights and held a key position within the opposition Unity Party.
The arrest raised questions about potential political motivations, given the former Chief Justice’s alignment with the opposition party.
Her lawyer, Augustine Fayiah, announced plans to appeal the verdict, citing perceived errors by the Judge and expressing concerns about the jurors’ independence during the investigation.
Former Chief Justice Musu Scott, previously Justice Minister and a lawmaker in Maryland County, now faces a life sentence, marking a dramatic turn in the career of a once-prominent figure in Liberian law and politics.
