Monrovia – Prosecutors have launched a authorized effort to overturn the latest ruling by the Monrovia Metropolis Magisterial Courtroom that cleared Miss Liberia 1st Runner-Up, Kindness Wilson, of assault fees.
Prosecutors filed a movement searching for to rescind the October 27 determination rendered by Stipendiary Justice of the Peace Ben Barco, who dismissed the case on grounds that the state had brought on “unreasonable and unjustifiable delays” in prosecuting the matter.
The prosecution insists that the ruling was procedurally flawed and unfair, arguing that the courtroom ignored proof exhibiting that the state had constantly pursued the case, requested a number of listening to dates, and was able to conclude with its ultimate witness — the medical physician — on the identical day the case was dismissed.
In line with prosecutors, the case was by no means deserted and had reached a sophisticated stage with 5 witnesses already testifying and a number of other items of key proof — together with the slapping video, apology video, eyewitness testimonies, and a college disciplinary report — admitted or marked for admission.
Prosecution described the dismissal as “legally untenable” and “opposite to the info on document, including they’ve since filed a movement for reduction from judgment and intend to exhaust all accessible authorized cures to have the dismissal overturned.
The lead prosecutor, Cllr. Yeakula-Korkpor stated she doesn’t litigate circumstances within the media and that prosecutors have taken benefit of the authorized cures accessible by submitting a movement to rescind the judgment and intent to exhaust all cures accessible.
Justice of the Peace Barco, in his October 27 ruling, dismissed the straightforward assault and disorderly conduct fees in opposition to Wilson, holding that the prosecution did not conclude its case inside the time required underneath Rule 9 of the Guidelines Governing Justice of the Peace and Site visitors Courts, which mandates the disposition of misdemeanor circumstances inside 30 days.
He stated the state’s repeated failure to supply its ultimate witness amounted to an “unreasonable and unjustifiable delay” that violated the defendant’s constitutional proper to a speedy trial.
“The prosecution’s delay is unreasonable and unjustifiable, given the truth that they management all of the instrumentalities of the state and shouldn’t be giving excuses to delay trial,” Justice of the Peace Barco dominated. “The protection has a constitutional proper to a speedy trial which should be protected in any respect prices.”
The ruling restored Wilson’s liberty, cleared her of all fees, and closed the case. Prosecutors instantly famous exceptions and introduced an enchantment to the First Judicial Circuit, Legal Assizes “A” Courtroom.
Of their movement to rescind, prosecutors argue that the courtroom’s conclusion of “delay” was based mostly on an inaccurate studying of the trial document. They preserve that each postponement occurred with the courtroom’s information and consent, and that the delay in scheduling hearings was as a result of courtroom’s personal crowded docket—not prosecutorial inaction.
Courtroom clerks reportedly knowledgeable the Justice of the Peace that the prosecution had sought assignments a number of instances earlier than October 27 however had been informed that the courtroom couldn’t accommodate the case as a result of different pending issues.
“The courtroom can’t profit from its personal improper,” a bit of the movement reads. “At no level was this case assigned and the prosecution failed to seem. The document is obvious that the state was diligent and able to proceed.”
The case originated from a viral video recorded in March 2024 exhibiting Wilson slapping fellow scholar Jumel Cox throughout a confrontation on the campus of Stella Maris Polytechnic College. The footage sparked outrage on social media, prompting public debate about accountability and conduct amongst public figures.
Following the incident, the Miss Liberia Organizing Committee suspended Wilson pending the end result of the case. The Ministry of Justice later charged her with easy assault and disorderly conduct, arguing that her actions violated the Penal Code and set a poor instance for younger Liberian girls.
Wilson, represented by legal professional Jeremiah Samuel Dugbou III, pleaded not responsible throughout her April 2 arraignment and was launched on bond offered by Sky Insurance coverage.
The case went to trial, and between April and October, 5 prosecution witnesses testified. Amongst them had been the complainant Cox, the coed who recorded the video, and two faculty directors. A number of items of proof, together with the controversial video and Wilson’s subsequent apology video, had been marked and admitted.
The state was awaiting its ultimate witness—the physician who handled Cox—to take the stand when the courtroom dismissed the case. Prosecutors preserve that the physician had been correctly notified and was current in courtroom on the day the ruling was delivered.
Protection counsel Atty. Dugbou has welcomed the courtroom’s determination, describing it as a “vindication of the rule of legislation.”
“My consumer was humiliated and unfairly judged within the public house for months,” Dugbou stated. “This case dragged on for too lengthy. The courtroom’s ruling affirms that justice delayed is certainly justice denied, and the Structure protects each citizen’s proper to a speedy trial.”
Nevertheless, prosecutors argue that the ruling sends the improper message about accountability and procedural equity. They preserve that the courtroom’s determination undermines public confidence within the justice system, particularly when the document reveals that the state acted in good religion.
