Monrovia – A foreign forensic pathologist, Dr. Matthau I. Okoye, has testified in the ongoing Charloe Musu murder trial which involves former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott and other members of her household.

By: Victoria G. Wesseh

During Tuesday hearing, Dr. Okoye, an International Forensic Pathologist based in the United States of America, testified that a male fingernail profile appeared on the left hand of the late Charloe Musu. He noted that he could not identify the man in question.

Dr. Okoye further stated that the blood spatter from the window of the guest room did not show any major DNA profile. However, the blood spatter from Gloria Musu-Scott’s bedroom on the bedsheets displayed the DNA profile of Charloe Musu.

During cross-examination, Dr. Okoye indicated that the DNA profile of the late Charloe Musu was consistent with all the evidence, leading to the complete exclusion of Gloria Musu-Scott, Gertrude Newton, Alice Johnson, and Rebecca Youdeh Wisner. This conclusion was based on comparing the DNA profiles obtained from blood samples of Alice Johnson and Gloria Musu-Scott with the blood spatter found in various locations within the house.

The Forensic Pathologist noted that his team compared these profiles with the fingernail clippings from Charloe Musu, revealing that the only foreign DNA profile was that of a minor contributor by a male on the left hand of the late Charloe Musu.

Dr. Okoye revealed they have YSTR that they can use to match any suspect, even animals present at the scene that night. He emphasized the confidence level, stating that there is a male who may have been the intruder or evader, causing the injury or death of Charloe Musu, with a confidence level exceeding 99% and 1 out of a billion.

Regarding toxicology, Dr. Okoye stated that the toxicology report did not contribute to the cause of death. There was no evidence of drug overdose or toxicity that would have killed the deceased, according to the toxicologist’s report.

Dr. Okoye clarified the DNA analysis process, noting that the first autopsy’s DNA report did not identify a Y chromosome. He emphasized the use of DNA analysis through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for accurate results.

The prosecution respectfully requested the court to permit the clerk to print the minutes and provide them for examination, citing the need for thorough review of the expert witness’s testimony. The prosecution received the voluminous autopsy report during the court session, and they requested a deferral of the cross-examination to the next court sitting to adequately prepare.

Monrovia – The Criminal Court ‘A’ presided over by Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie has ruled in the case involving Liberia’s Solicitor General, Nyenti Tuan, from further prosecuting former Chief Justice Gloria Musu-Scott and her family, who are on trial for murder and other offenses. The ruling was delivered on October 4, 2023.

By Victoria G. Wesseh

According to Judge Willie, the Chamber of Justice Jamesetta H. Wolokolie had been mandated to investigate the allegations of jury tampering.

Judge Willie further clarified that the jurors would not be disbanded, as the testimonies of witnesses in open court indicated that Solicitor of Liberia Nyenti Tuan did not interact with the Judicial security of the jurors; instead, he interacted with the Liberia National Police (LNP).

Judge Willie indicated that the court did not find any evidence of jury tampering. Consequently, Liberia Solicitor Tuan was suspended from the case and fined, as ordered.

However, the prosecution objected to a part of Judge Willie’s ruling, which suspended SG Tuan from the trial for a period. The prosecution argued that Judge Willie lacked the authority to suspend a lawyer of Liberia, as that authority rests with the Supreme Court of Liberia.

It can be recalled that Judge Willie made this decision on Monday, September 18, 2023, following a formal complaint filed by the Judiciary’s Court Administration against Cllr. Tuan. The complaint alleged that Cllr. Tuan had secretly entered the premises of the Temple of Justice during the night hours at 8:00 PM, proceeded to the Jurors’ quarters, and interacted with officers of the Liberia National Police assigned to protect the jurors from interference and manipulation.

Judge Willie also imposed a fine of US$250.00 on Cllr. Tuan, to be paid within 72 hours or three days, effective from the date of the ruling.

Judge Willie’s decision followed a chambers conference regarding allegations that Solicitor General Cllr. Nyenti Tuan entered the premises of the Temple of Justice at 8:00 PM, accompanied by several police officers, while trial jurors were being sequestered. The matter was forwarded to the Court to conduct an investigation and take appropriate legal action, which was subsequently carried out.

Judge Willie noted, “In the investigation report, the Judiciary Security Officers stated that the Solicitor General, Cllr. Nyanti Tuan, entered the Temple of Justice premises at 8:00 PM and conferred with the police officers assigned at the Jury Quarter, but did not interact or interfere with any of the jurors.”

Subsequently, on the same Monday, September 18, 2023, the court suspended the case, summoning both the prosecution and defense teams to the Judge’s Chamber. After reviewing the Investigation Reports from both the Jury Management and the Judiciary Security Services, Cllr. Nyanti Tuan, the alleged offender, was ordered to respond to the report.

Cllr. Nyanti Tuan admitted to visiting the premises of the Temple of Justice on the specified date but clarified that it was around 5:30-6:00 PM, not 8:00 PM. He acknowledged meeting with the Judiciary Security Services at the gate and explained that he interacted with his officers at the Jury Quarter but did not interact or interfere with any of the jurors.

He added that his purpose was to advise his officers to be vigilant and careful in their duty at the Jury Quarter to avoid a situation similar to what happened in the US$100 million drugs case in Criminal Court ‘C,’ where the government lost the case.

Consequently, Judge Willie ruled that Cllr. Nyanti Tuan be suspended from further participation in the trial as one of the government lawyers and fined an amount of US$250.00, to be paid within 72 hours or three days from the date of the ruling. The Court also expelled the officers—Amos Korkollie, Titus Massah, Webster J. Paye, and Lassana Liazolu—assigned to the Jury Quarter, with whom the Solicitor General had interacted, from further serving on the security team for the jurors.