Six of the eight defendants charged in the high-profile Capitol Building arson case have refused to undergo medical examinations for alleged sexual assault, despite a court order mandating comprehensive evaluations for signs of torture and sodomy.
The order, issued by His Honor Roosevelt Z. Willie, Resident Judge of Criminal Court “A”, directed AMI Expeditionary Healthcare in Sinkor to examine the accused for evidence of torture or sexual abuse during their detention between December 18, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
The Ministry of Justice was instructed to cover all medical expenses related to the evaluations.
Among those examined was Thomas Isaac Etheridge, 40, who voluntarily underwent a medical assessment on September 16, 2025.
The examination was conducted by Dr. Philip Zochonis Ireland, a senior internist and Head of Internal Medicine at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center.
Findings from the AMI Medical Healthcare
In a detailed Istanbul Protocol-compliant report, the international standard for investigating and documenting torture, Dr. Ireland concluded that Etheridge’s clinical findings were “highly consistent” with his allegations of sustained torture and ill-treatment while in custody.
Etheridge reported the following:
Being severely beaten with handcuffs
Being stripped naked and assaulted with batons
Repeated blows to the face, including punches to the eye
A dislocated right shoulder caused by beatings
Denial of basic dignity
Vision loss and symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress
Etheridge denied any sexual assault or sodomy, and therefore revoked consent for a genital and anal examination.
“His behavioral presentation during the examination, including hypervigilance, emotional distress, and chronic anxiety, is consistent with acute psychological trauma and likely PTSD,” wrote Dr. Ireland in the report.
The report also documented:
An irregular heart rhythm (requiring cardiology review)
Blurred vision and vision loss in the left eye (requiring ophthalmology)
Persistent musculoskeletal pain
No visible skin lesions at the time of examination
Although six of Etheridge’s co-defendants declined sodomy-related examinations, citing either the absence of such allegations or distrust in the process, Etheridge’s report is expected to become a focal point in the upcoming court proceedings.
Legal Context
The eight defendants, Kivi Bah alias Kaba, Jerry Pokah alias Tyrese, Stephen M. Broh, John Nyanti, Christian Kofa, Eric Susay, Thomas Isaac Etheridge, and Gabriel Fansiah, face a range of serious charges, including:
Criminal arson
Attempted murder
Criminal conspiracy
Release of destructive forces
These charges stem from the Capitol Building fire earlier this year, which authorities allege was part of a coordinated attempt to destabilize national order and damage critical infrastructure.
While the Ministry of Justice maintains that the investigation was conducted within legal bounds, human rights groups have raised concerns over the alleged abuse of detainees during interrogation and pre-trial detention.
Judicial Response and Outlook
In a communication dated September 10, 2025, Court Clerk Gabriel J. Smith confirmed that AMI’s medical findings would be integral to assessing the legality of the investigation.
The court-mandated deadline for submitting the report was September 17, 2025.
The refusal of six defendants to undergo the full examination may complicate judicial efforts to establish a uniform medical record for all accused individuals.
However, legal analysts say Etheridge’s report alone could significantly impact the court’s evaluation of due process and detainee treatment.
As the trial continues, the case is shaping up to be a pivotal test of Liberia’s commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring accountability in politically sensitive prosecutions.
