Stipendiary Magistrate of Monrovia City Court Ben Barco has ordered the management of Cigar Bar to produce surveillance footage as prosecutors seek to determine the circumstances surrounding an alleged assault involving businesswoman Dr. Vicky Gray and several co-defendants.
The order was issued on Monday after the court heard testimony from the prosecution’s first witness, media personality and event host Grace Hawa Weah, during the preliminary examination of a case involving charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, menacing, criminal conspiracy and disorderly conduct.
The Republic of Liberia, acting through complainants Stephen Weah, Joseph C. Weah Jr. and Emmanuel Bunu, alleges that Dr. Gray and others were connected to the June 20 incident. The defendants deny the allegations and are contesting the charges.
Taking the witness stand, Grace Hawa Weah testified that Dr. Gray called her on the morning of June 20 and expressed interest in attending an event she was hosting that evening. According to the witness, she reserved a VIP table for Dr. Gray, who later arrived with several members of her security team.
Weah told the court that while the two were talking, one of Dr. Gray’s bodyguards leaned over and whispered something in her ear.
She testified that Dr. Gray then instructed her security personnel, saying, “Beat them up.”
According to the witness, the alleged attack began moments later.
“I only saw her security beating Joseph, my oldest brother,” Weah testified.
She further told the court:
“Stephen Weah came from the back… they all jumped on Stephen and started beating on him, all in his face.”
The witness also alleged that Emmanuel Bunu was injured after attempting to prevent one of the security guards from striking Joseph Weah with a bottle.
Following the incident, Weah testified that police responded and escorted the parties to the police station before the complainants sought medical treatment at APEX Optics Eye Specialist Clinic in Sinkor.
The prosecution later submitted medical reports and photographs that it said documented the injuries sustained by the complainants. The court admitted the documents and photographs into evidence after they were identified and confirmed by the witness.
During cross-examination, defense lawyers challenged Weah’s testimony, questioning whether she could clearly hear Dr. Gray in what they described as a nightclub with loud music.
When asked whether any audio or video recording captured Dr. Gray giving instructions to her security personnel, Weah replied:
“Not video, not audio.”
Defense counsel also asked whether she was the only person who claimed to have heard the alleged statement.
“No. I am not the only person,” she responded.
The defense further questioned whether Dr. Gray physically participated in the altercation.
“Physically no,” Weah answered.
Before adjourning the proceedings, the presiding judge questioned the witness about the existence of surveillance cameras at Cigar Bar.
After Weah confirmed that CCTV cameras were installed at the establishment and that the footage could be obtained, the court ordered the Clerk to subpoena the management of Cigar Bar to produce the recordings.
The case was adjourned until June 30, when proceedings are expected to continue with the CCTV footage likely to become a central piece of evidence.
The court has not determined the merits of the allegations, and all defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
