The Trial Of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - Episode III

The Trial Of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Episode III

In the courtroom, the judges were preparing for the pretrial conference that would take place after the Grand Inquest submitted its indictment. Judge Gbalazeh was particularly concerned about cheering in the courtroom.

            “Good morning, my people,” he began. The crowd went quiet. A woman’s baby was crying but she shoved her right breast in his mouth quickly before the Judge could turn to look at here.

            “This is a courtroom, not a cinema,” he continued. “We will demand absolute quietude in court. “The Sheriff,” pointing at him as he was broodingly scanning the large audience that had turned up, “will make sure that we have this place quiet.”

            One member of the audience raised his hand. Judge Tulay recognized him. “Yes, Mr. Gabriel Kpolleh, do you have anything to ask,” Judge Tulay asked.

            Kpolleh stood and cleared his throat. “Some of us are here to form part of the petite jury. Are you selecting jurors today?”

            “No, not today,” Judge Morris answered. “Can you approach the bench Mr. Kpolleh,” he invited the former public school teacher-turned politician. Kpolleh inelegantly found his way among the people and went to talk to Judge Morris. His body mass had increased of late, and his left leg seemed to have some problem.

            “Sir, we have your name before us as one of the state witnesses, how come you want to serve in the petite jury,” one of the judges asked.

            “Well, yes, but I thought I would better serve in the jury than being a state witness,” he said. “I know very little about what this woman did and I would not deceive myself and deceive the people of Liberia to give evidence against her,” he added.

            Just before the prosecution approached the Grand Jury, Kpolleh had turned down the state’s request to put him on the witness stand before the Grand Jury. He told them the same thing he told the judges.

            As he retired to his seat Judge Gbalazeh continued, “Those of you who have come to face the selection process will go home today. The Grand Jury has not brought the indictment yet, so we cannot tell when the petite jury selection will commence,” he said and turned to ask Judge Tulay.

            “Do you have something to say?”

            “No, you said it all,” Judge Tulay replied.

            “Do you have something to add, honorable Morris?”

            “Nothing, except you forgot to tell the court officers to be on time to work during the next 45 days of trial when the case begins.”

            “Oh, yes…” Judge Gbalazeh made the quick announcement and ordered the court into recess to resume normal business tomorrow.

            Meanwhile, Cllr. Tuan Wreh was speaking in the deliberation room; he was answering questions from the Grand Jurors.

            “Honorable men and women of our land, we have brought before eleven (11) counts charging Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; Sirleaf, Ellen Johnson, or Johnson, Sirleaf Ellen.”

            “Counselor, what are the differences in the way you called her name,” Gabriel Baccus Matthew asked.

            “Well, honorable, this is to show that anyway she calls herself, we want to make sure we are on the safe side,” Wreh responded, and continued.

            “The defendant we have brought before you has committed an act of Treason against the state…”

THE SERIES CONTINUES.