The Resident Circuit Judge of Criminal Court ‘A’, Roosevelt Z. Willie has ordered that the six defendants standing trial for arson undergo an independent medical examination at AMI Expeditionary Healthcare Medical Center.
The order comes amid serious allegations by the defendants of torture and forced confessions during state custody.
The Court’s decision was met with strong objections from the defense team, who questioned the impartiality of the selected medical facility.
AMI Selected as Exam Site for Independent Medical Evaluation
The Court issued the ruling following a Motion for Independent Medical Examination filed by the defense, who sought a neutral facility to medically verify claims of abuse, including sodomy and physical assault.
While the Prosecution raised no objection to the motion, it did push back on delaying other scheduled matters, including a ruling on the Motion to Suppress Evidence.
Judge Willie designated AMI Medical Center, located on 1st Street, Sinkor, opposite the United Nations offices, as the institution to conduct the evaluations.
He described the facility as an internationally recognized medical provider with operations in the United States, South Africa, Liberia, and other countries.
The Judge ordered that the Ministry of Justice cover all medical costs, and that the examination results be submitted to the Court no later than Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Defense Strongly Objects to AMI Facility
Despite winning their request for an independent
examination, the Defense team immediately excepted to the use of AMI, arguing that it is not a neutral body.
They claim the medical center has active contracts with the Government of Liberia, including the Ministry of Justice and Liberia National Police, both parties to the current criminal proceedings.
Defense lawyers cited the case of Co-Defendant Thomas Etheridge, who was previously rushed to AMI after allegedly collapsing from torture.
They claim AMI diagnosed him with malaria, despite signs of physical abuse.
“AMI is no different from JFK. Both are connected to the government, and the Defendants do not trust their integrity,” a defense lawyer stated.
The Defense requested that the Court select a facility not affiliated with the Government, to ensure transparency and neutrality in the medical findings.
Delayed Suppression Ruling Sparks Contempt Sanctions
The issue of the medical examination took center stage at what was originally scheduled as a ruling date for the Motion to Suppress Evidence.
When the Defense asked for postponement of that ruling, pending the outcome of the medical exams, the Prosecution accused them of intentionally stalling the case.
Prosecutors further claimed that the Defendants had defied a previous court order to undergo examination at JFK Medical Center, acting on advice from their legal counsel.
Judge Willie expressed frustration over what he called “clear defiance of the Court’s lawful order,” citing a Sheriff’s report signed by the Director of the Monrovia Central Prison.
According to the report, the Defendants refused to proceed to JFK for examination after being told by their lawyers not to do so.
“You do not tell your clients not to obey the order of the Court… no lawyer does that and goes free,” the Judge declared.
Court Fines Seven Defense Lawyers
As a result, the Court held seven defense lawyers in contempt, imposing $100 USD fines each on:
Cllr. Arthur T. Johnson
Cllr. M. Wilkins Wright
Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi
Cllr. I. Quiwoe Dennis
Cllr. Safuwa Mai-Gray
Cllr. James N. Kumeh
An additional $50 USD fine was levied on Wilma Blaye Simpson.
All fines must be paid into the Judiciary Account no later than Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Defense Pushes Back Against Contempt Ruling
The Defense strongly objected to the fines, arguing they were based on “hearsay” and an unverified report by a non-testifying party, the Superintendent of the Monrovia Central Prison.
They argued the report should not carry evidentiary weight and claimed they were never formally served the Court’s order directing the examination at JFK.
They maintained that their actions were within legal bounds and that, if anything, their objections to JFK should have been resolved through a legal challenge, not a contempt citation.
Awaiting Medical Results
With the case now paused pending the outcome of the independent medical exams at AMI, legal analysts say the findings could prove critical.
If credible evidence of torture emerges, it could bolster the defense’s Motion to Suppress Confessions and drastically alter the course of the trial.
