Monrovia – The Assigned Circuit Judge for Criminal Court “B” of Montserrado County, Judge Wesseh Alphonsus Wesseh, has rejected defendant Bill Jallah’s petition for a plea bargaining agreement with the prosecution.
Defendant Jallah, through lawyers from the Central Law Offices, had filed a six-count plea bargaining agreement, claiming responsibility for the death of Ms. Princess Zoe, whom he allegedly stabbed multiple times at a local entertainment center on Duport Road, Paynesville, in December 2024. The attack reportedly led to Ms. Zoe’s death.
The prosecution indicted Jallah for murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault, noting that he allegedly stabbed several others, including his sister, who tried to intervene and prevent the killing.
During proceedings on August 27, 2025, Cllr. Jimmy Bobo, representing the defendant, brought the court’s attention to the previously filed plea bargaining agreement, intended to mitigate Jallah’s sentencing.
In response, the prosecution, led by Cllr. Isaac William, accepted the plea bargaining instrument but emphasized that the defendant should first be arraigned to ascertain his plea.
However, Judge Wesseh rejected the plea bargaining application, stating that a trial court is not a party to such agreements. The judge further noted that murder is a capital offense under Liberian law, referencing Section 16.4 of the Civil Procedure Law, which allows the court to enter a not guilty plea on behalf of a defendant indicted for a capital offense, even if the defendant pleads guilty, to allow the prosecution to present evidence.
The judge subsequently read the indictment to the defendant, who initially entered a guilty plea. This plea was set aside, paving the way for the prosecution to present its evidence. The trial will proceed without a jury, following the defense’s waiver of a jury trial. Under Liberian law, murder carries life imprisonment or the death penalty by hanging.
The case has been adjourned to Thursday, August 28, 2025, when the prosecution is scheduled to begin presenting its evidence.
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