Monrovia—The Criminal Court A at the Temple of Justice has ordered the government to release the body of Charloe Musu to her family for burial, following the Supreme Court of Liberia’s August 28, 2024 ruling, which acquitted former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott and three of her family members.
In the September 9, 2024 court session, Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie directed the Ministry of Justice to release the remains of Charloe Musu, after the legal representatives of the acquitted requested the release.
The defense argued that despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, they were yet to regain full access to their family home in Virginia, Montserrado County, and had been unable to claim Charloe’s body from the Ministry of Justice.
The defense motion also claimed that the government had maintained custody of Charloe’s remains and called for its release to allow for burial preparations.
In response, the prosecution argued that the family had already been granted access to their home during the trial and that the Ministry of Justice had only stationed security outside the premises to prevent unauthorized entry.
Judge Willie acknowledged that restrictions on the body had been lifted during the trial, noting that Anthony Musu, a relative of Justice Scott, had been at the residence with the keys.
He affirmed the prosecution’s claim that security forces were only present to safeguard the perimeter. However, the court ordered that the police immediately grant the acquitted family members unrestricted access to their home and turn over Charloe’s body.
Despite the court’s orders, the Musu family contested the prosecution’s claims, asserting they had not been given access to Charloe’s body or their residence.
They also criticized the investigation, alleging deliberate efforts to obstruct justice.
The family pointed to an incident where intruders reportedly broke into the home while Justice Scott and her relatives were in prison awaiting appeal. Despite the police’s mandate to secure the property, neighbors had intervened to prevent the intruders from fleeing before law enforcement arrived.
Suspects arrested during the break-in, including Blessing Cooper and Abraham Jerbo, reportedly admitted to using keys they found near the compound to enter the premises.
The family questioned how the intruders obtained the keys and accused the police of mishandling the investigation by charging the suspects without consulting the family or conducting a proper assessment of the damage.
The Musu family has consistently expressed concerns about the handling of the case, alleging that the investigation and trial were marred by irregularities designed to undermine the pursuit of justice.
They emphasized the need for a thorough inquiry into the break-ins, which occurred while the family’s home should have been under police protection.
In the midst of the legal proceedings, the Musu family has begun preparations for Charloe Musu’s funeral. Meetings and arrangements are underway to receive her body from the funeral home, with a significant family gathering scheduled for September 12, 2024, at the Musu family compound on 16th Street.
