Defense Lawyers Fight Back!
Monrovia, Liberia – Defense attorneys have petitioned Supreme Court Justice in Chamber Yamie Quiqui Gberisay for a writ of certiorari in the alleged Capitol Building arson case.
The petition was filed just days after the defense’s attempt to overturn Monrovia City Court Stipendiary Magistrate L Ben Barco’s decision regarding their move to suppress evidence and restore property was denied by Criminal Court “A” Judge Roosevelt Willie.
The defense attorneys contend in their appeal that the magistrate’s decision is illogical and legally prejudiced. Asserting that the evidence against defendant Thomas Etheridge was unlawfully gathered through a poorly executed search and seizure order, they ask the court to overturn the February 12 decision.
They also alleged that the National Security Agency (NSA) went beyond its bounds by getting involved in the inquiry and using Etheridge’s phone, which they claim violates the statute that created the NSA.
At this time, the lawsuit is still in its early phases. To ascertain if there is probable cause to charge and try a person for a criminal violation, a preliminary examination is a pretrial judicial hearing before a magistrate under Liberian law.
In light of the stay order issued by Justice Gberisay, a conference has been set for Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
Credit: Melvin Jackson
