Africa-Press – Liberia. Dramatic scenes unfolded yesterday before the jurors of Criminal Court ‘A’ as defense lawyers accused the government of coercing defendant Thomas Etheridge into holding a Clorox bottle allegedly used to transport gasoline in the December 18, 2024, Capitol Building fire.
The prosecution presented a Clorox bottle and a matchbox as key physical evidence, alleging that they were used to ignite the blaze that caused significant damage to Liberia’s legislative seat. However, the defense, led by Cllr. Arthur T. Johnson, challenged the credibility of the evidence, claiming it was planted by the Liberia National Police (LNP) to frame Etheridge and other defendants.
Cllr. Johnson told jurors that the LNP had deployed more than 14 pickup trucks filled with armed officers to Etheridge’s residence, forcing him to hold the Clorox bottle during the operation. He further contended that no fingerprint tests were conducted on the bottle or the matchbox, and that the matchbox presented in court differed from the one observed during the defendants’ initial hearing.
“The state’s case relies entirely on evidence that may have been planted. No forensic tests link my client to the alleged crime,” Johnson argued before the court.
The prosecution’s witness, Rafael Wilson, a criminal investigator with the Liberia National Police, had previously testified that fingerprint extraction was impossible due to the raw surfaces of the Clorox bottle and matchbox. The defense has seized on this point to cast doubt on the state’s claims, arguing that the absence of forensic evidence weakens the connection between the defendants and the alleged arson.
The trial has been fraught with controversies. In addition to disputed physical evidence, the proceedings have seen the presentation of an inaudible audio recording and allegations of witness coercion. Prosecutors have accused Etheridge and co-defendants of orchestrating a criminal conspiracy to set fire to the Capitol Building, resulting in damages estimated in the millions of dollars.
As the trial continues, the jury faces the task of determining the credibility of the evidence and the veracity of conflicting claims made by the prosecution and defense.
Court observers say yesterday’s proceedings highlighted the tension between the state and defense teams, raising questions about investigative procedures and the handling of key evidence. The outcome of the trial is likely to have lasting implications for public confidence in the judicial process surrounding high-profile criminal cases in Liberia.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
