Published: September 22, 2025
MONROVIA — Criminal Court ‘B’ has sentenced Bill Jallah to life imprisonment for the December 2024 murder of Princess Zuo Wesseh, bringing to a close a high-profile trial that stretched over four weeks at the Temple of Justice.
Judge Wesseh A. Wesseh delivered the sentence on September 11, 2025, after Jallah pleaded guilty to charges of murder, aggravated assault, and attempted murder. The ruling followed testimony from three state witnesses and Jallah himself.
A Guilty Plea and Rejected Bargain
On August 19, before the trial began, Jallah attempted to strike a plea bargain in hopes of reducing his sentence. The court rejected the request, citing Liberia’s penal code, which classifies murder as a capital offense punishable only by death or life imprisonment.
When arraigned on August 27, Jallah admitted guilt. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that he stabbed Wesseh multiple times at the Fun Factory entertainment center in Paynesville after an argument turned violent. He also attacked his sister, who tried to intervene, leaving her with serious injuries.
Judge’s Rationale
In handing down the sentence, Judge Wesseh cited the Supreme Court’s consistent view that murder is “a hideous crime condemned by every civilization” and underscored the sanctity of human life.
“The act of murder extinguishes life, unarguably the most precious gift bequeathed to humanity,” the judge said. “Life once lost remains irretrievable forever. A solemn obligation rests on every human society to protect it.”
Impact on Families
The court’s decision followed emotional testimony from the victim’s mother, Ma Waydeh Wesseh, who told probation officers that her daughter’s death had left her sickly and struggling to care for her 12-year-old grandson. “Every day he asks for his mother,” she said, describing the burden as heartbreaking and financially devastating.
The defendant’s sister, who was stabbed during the incident, also testified that she witnessed the attack and barely survived.
A First-Time Offender
Jallah, a 39-year-old accountant and father of two, admitted his guilt and expressed remorse, telling probation officers he regretted his actions and wanted forgiveness. He had no prior criminal record and was described by community members as quiet and withdrawn.
Nonetheless, the court ruled that the severity of his actions outweighed any mitigating factors.
The Sentence
“The defendant, with a depraved and premeditated mind, caused the death of the deceased in a most savage manner,” Judge Wesseh said in the ruling. “This court cannot accept a plea bargain in such a case. The law is clear: murder carries either death or life imprisonment.”
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