Sanniquellie, Nimba County, Liberia — A 12-member jury at the Sexual Offenses Division Court of the 8th Judicial Circuit has failed to convict or acquit Isaac Dopoe, a 41-year-old defendant charged with raping a 3-year-old girl.
After a 5-day trial and careful deliberation of evidence presented by the State Prosecutor and Public Defender, the jury returned a hung verdict on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The vote split 5-7, with 5 jurors voting guilty and 7 voting not guilty.
Under Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, a valid jury verdict in most criminal trials requires a 9-to-3 majority among the 12 impaneled jurors. Because that threshold was not met, the court declared a new trial.
The Ministry of Justice indicted Isaac Dopoe for the alleged commission of the crime of rape that occurred on December 18, 2025, in Beo Gborplay Town, Nimba County Electoral District #3. The Grand Jury for Nimba County, sitting during its February Term of Court, A.D. 2026, returned a true bill finding that Isaac Dopoe committed rape, a felony of the first degree, against a minor under 18 years of age at the time the offense was committed.
Under the law, first-degree rape carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Convicted offenders typically face between 25 years and life, based on case circumstances.
Prosecutors alleged that Isaac Dopoe sent the child twice to bring him water while her parents were away, then followed her into the house and sexually assaulted her. Police Sex Crimes Unit investigators said Isaac Dopoe categorically denied abusing the 3-year-old survivor, identified in court records as “A.F.”, but admitted to coming into contact with her.
During court proceedings on Thursday, December 18, 2025, Janet Smith, mother of the child victim, testified that her daughter informed her in the afternoon that Isaac Dopoe had put his hands in her clothes after asking her to go inside and bring him water to drink.
Madam Smith said she confronted Dopoe immediately, but he denied the allegation. When he attempted to flee, two boys in the area apprehended him and turned him over to the police.
Prosecution witnesses who testified next corroborated Smith’s account. Marthaline Flomo, an eyewitness, conducted a preliminary check of the child near the crime scene. Sam V. Seboe, a police investigator, and Konah Y. Tozay, the SGBV nurse assigned at G.W. Harley Hospital, also examined the alleged victim.
Nurse examiner Konah Y. Tozay told the court that medical examination, laboratory tests, and physical screening were conducted. The examination showed evidence of penetration. With focus on the genital area, the labia minora were observed with fresh blood stains on the victim’s underclothes.
Defendant Isaac Dopoe testified in his defense and denied all prosecution allegations, including sexually assaulting the 3-year-old child survivor. He said he interacted with the victim and a 9-year-old boy, Terry, who is his elder sister’s son, at “Beauty’s house.” According to Dopoe, he asked Terry to bring him water, but instead, Terry sent the victim to get the water the first time. “I was still thirsty and standing on the porch,” Dopoe testified. “The victim went for more water, brought it to me and I drank. I left them there to go meet my friend on the road for my money.”
Defense’s second witness Susannah Dopoe, the defendant’s mother, testified to her son’s character. She said he does not steal or rape. However, she stated she did not know about the allegations levied against him.
Meanwhile, defense counsel requested a new trial following the hung jury verdict returned on Wednesday.
In response, the Sexual Offenses Division Court ordered the case returned to the docket for a new trial in accordance with Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law. Because a hung jury does not result in acquittal or conviction, prosecutors retain the right to retry the defendant before a new 12-member jury.
The court remanded defendant Isaac Dopoe to custody at Sanniquellie Central Prison pending further proceedings during the next term of court. He will remain detained until the new trial date is set.
Child protection advocates in Nimba County expressed concern over the outcome but emphasized that a mistrial is not an exoneration. They urged the community to continue supporting the child survivor and her family, noting that the legal process is ongoing and the child’s welfare remains the priority.
Legal observers say retrials in sexual offense cases are common when juries fail to reach the required 9-to-3 majority. The Ministry of Justice is expected to present the same charges when the case is called again.
