In a recent development in the Capitol Building arson case, Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court “A” denied a defense motion for a live televised hearing. The defense, led by Cllr. Arthur Tamba Johnson, argued that broadcasting the trial would promote transparency, fairness, and public trust in the judicial process, citing a Supreme Court precedent allowing live coverage. They emphasized the significant public interest in the case and asserted that televising the proceedings would combat misinformation and political narratives surrounding the incident.
However, the prosecution, represented by Cllr. Richard Scott, vehemently opposed the motion, arguing it was filed in bad faith. They contended that televising trials encourages lawyer grandstanding, distracts witnesses, disrupts court proceedings, and violates existing court rules prohibiting such coverage. The prosecution maintained that the focus should remain on the legal proceedings themselves and not on creating a public spectacle.
Judge Willie, after considering the arguments from both sides and reviewing relevant legal precedents, sided with the prosecution. He specifically cited Rule 11 of the Supreme Court of Liberia, which prohibits the televising of court proceedings. Judge Willie reiterated the court’s commitment to upholding established rules and procedures and warned against any attempts to circumvent them. He emphasized that justice must not only be done but also be seen to be done within the confines of the law and existing regulations.
However, Judge Willie reserved ruling on another defense motion seeking to suppress evidence submitted by the prosecution. This motion alleges that the defendants were subjected to sodomy and torture while in custody. The judge acknowledged the gravity of these allegations and the need for further investigation before making a determination on the admissibility of the evidence.
To ensure a fair and impartial assessment of the torture and sodomy claims, Judge Willie ordered a medical examination of the six defendants. The examination will be conducted at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, with a report to be submitted to the court by Tuesday, September 9, 2025. This medical evaluation will play a crucial role in the judge’s final decision on the motion to suppress evidence.
The defense, while accepting the court’s decision to order a medical examination, expressed reservations about having it conducted at a government-run hospital. They requested that an independent medical examiner, psychologist, or psychiatrist be appointed to assess the defendants for signs of torture and sodomy, raising concerns about potential bias if the examination is conducted by a government entity. The judge’s final ruling on the motion to suppress evidence, which will be influenced by the results of the medical examination, is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, 2025. This ruling will significantly impact the trajectory of the Capitol Building arson case.
