Monrovia – Economist Samuel Jackson says disagreements between husbands and wives are a normal part of relationships, as he responded to allegations of domestic violence involving his late wife.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
Following testimony from Jackson’s close friend, Rufus S. Berry II, the Liberia National Police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Toni Jackson and declared Samuel Jackson a person of interest.
Speaking to reporters at his residence early Saturday, Jackson said arguments are common in relationships.
“Don’t couples fight? Isn’t that routine, especially when you are in a deep love relationship where there is jealousy and all kinds of things? Don’t they fight? Don’t husbands and wives typically have altercations?” Jackson said.
“We are like any normal loving couple where we go to extreme love, and sometimes extreme animosity. We are two human beings.”
When asked when the last disagreement between the couple occurred, Jackson said it was more than two years ago.
“More than two years ago was the last time we had a fight. My wife and I were very close,” he said.
Toni Jackson died at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Monrovia after she was rushed there from Catholic Hospital for brain surgery.
According to Jackson, he discovered his wife unconscious in their bedroom when he returned home. He said he initially took her to Catholic Hospital, but doctors recommended she be transferred to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital.
Following the announcement of her death, Rufus S. Berry II—who claims to be a close friend of both Jackson and his late wife—reported the matter to the Liberia National Police and called for an investigation into the cause of Mrs. Jackson’s death. Berry alleged that Jackson had previously abused his wife.
Jackson said police officers later came to his residence requesting to view the room where his wife collapsed as part of their investigation. However, he said he refused to allow them entry without a warrant.
He acknowledged that it is normal for a spouse to be considered a person of interest in cases involving the death of a partner but accused the police of politicizing the investigation from the outset.
After he agreed to cooperate, Jackson said he was surprised by the large number of officers deployed to his home.
“That is standard. The spouse is usually the primary suspect. But when I saw a group of police officers coming to my house, I felt they were politicizing it,” he said. “We need to allow them to do their job. I am against the process of bringing 10 to 20 armed men.”
Jackson also expressed frustration over images circulating on social media that he said show his late wife’s body.
“When I see on social media my wife’s naked picture, her dead body, pictures with the brain surgery marks, and bruises on her with her eyes swollen, I have to provide evidence,” he said.
He added that he intends to cooperate fully with the police investigation and will be turning himself in this morning.
