Former Deputy Minister of Public Works, Attorney J. Jefferson Chesson, has been sentenced to two days at the Monrovia Central Prison for contempt of court by Monrovia City Court Stipendiary Magistrate L. Ben Barco. The court handed down the sentence Wednesday following contempt proceedings stemming from comments Chesson made during an appearance on the Spoon Talk Show about a pending case before the court.
According to the court’s ruling, Chesson had been informed of a writ of arrest related to the case but later appeared on the talk show, where he discussed the matter and made comments concerning the presiding magistrate.
The court said Chesson’s remarks suggested that Magistrate Barto was biased and taking sides in the case. It ruled that the comments undermined the authority and dignity of the court and subjected the judiciary to public ridicule.
Magistrate Barto cited Chapter 12 of the New Judiciary Law, which gives courts the authority to punish “disorderly, contemptuous or insolent behavior” that interferes with court proceedings or undermines respect for judicial authority.
The ruling also referenced Article 15 of the Liberian Constitution, which protects freedom of expression while recognizing the responsibilities that come with exercising that right.
Magistrate Barco further relied on Supreme Court precedent, including In Re Wolo, which recognizes the heightened responsibility of lawyers, as officers of the court, to respect and protect the dignity of the judiciary.
The court determined that because Chesson’s comments were made while the case remained pending, they violated the sub judice principle, which restricts public discussion that could interfere with an ongoing judicial proceeding.
The magistrate also rejected the argument that requiring Chesson to appear before the court demonstrated bias.
“Calling a criminal defendant, even one who is a lawyer, to appear in court is a lawful and impartial act,” the ruling stated.
The court said requiring defendants to appear and respond to criminal allegations is part of its normal judicial responsibility and does not, by itself, establish prejudice against a defendant.
Chesson’s lawyers, Attorney Samora P.Z. Wolokolie and Counsellor Garrison D. Yealue, appealed for leniency. They cited their client’s remorse, lack of any previous contempt record and the isolated nature of the incident.
While the court acknowledged those mitigating circumstances, Magistrate Barto concluded that they did not outweigh the seriousness of Chesson’s conduct.
The ruling emphasized that contempt proceedings are not simply about protecting the personal authority of a judge but about preserving the integrity and proper functioning of the judicial process.
The court subsequently found Chesson guilty of contempt and sentenced him to two days at the Monrovia Central Prison.
Defense counsel excepted to the ruling and indicated that they would pursue the legal remedies available to their client.
The ruling was signed and sealed by Stipendiary Magistrate L. Ben Barco of the Monrovia City Magisterial Court.
