By: Shallon S. Gonlor |
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia — The Grand Jurors of Nimba County have returned a True Bill against Mary Giah, a 56-year-old woman who allegedly murdered her three grandchildren in Mehnla Town, Nimba County’s Electoral District #9. A true bill is a formal endorsement by a grand jury, indicating that sufficient evidence or probable cause exists to charge a defendant with an alleged crime, effectively turning the prosecutor’s accusation into a formal indictment.
As one of the public interest cases deliberated on during their 21-day sitting, the Grand Jury found the prosecution’s case against the 56-year-old woman credible enough to proceed to trial for the May 2026 Term of Court at the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie. During the February 2026 Term of Court, the Ministry of Justice, through its County Attorney of Nimba County, forwarded the case to the Grand Jury for processing.
The tragic incident shocked Mehnla Town on Sunday, February 22, 2026, when Mary Giah allegedly killed her three grandchildren: Mewaseh Giah, 6, Marvelous Zainsaye, 4, and 2-year-old Alvina Tokpah.
The Liberia National Police, Nimba County Detachment, arrested the 56-year-old woman, charged her with murder, and forwarded her to court for prosecution.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, suspect Mary Giah was forwarded to the Sanniquellie City Magisterial Court with a substantial preliminary investigation report, containing a police charge sheet, witnesses’ testimonies, the suspect’s statement, and other evidence. Due to jurisdictional issues, the magisterial court transferred the case to the 8th Judicial Circuit Court for trial.
INVESTIGATION DETAILS:
The Liberia National Police (LNP) investigation revealed that Mary Giah, 56, intentionally killed her three grandchildren by cutting their throats with a knife while they were sleeping. She claimed she acted to “prove she is a witch physically,” showing no remorse for her actions. The investigation established Giah’s guilt under Chapter 14, Subchapter A, Section 14.1 of Liberia’s statutory law, violating the crime of murder. Giah’s case will proceed through the judicial system.
Suspect Mary Giah admitted to committing the crime, claiming she was driven by a demonic spirit linked to witchcraft — cutting the children’s throats with a knife while they were in bed. On February 21, 2026, her daughter, Mercy Giah, left the children with her while she slept with her boyfriend. Based on the Grand Jury’s findings and police preliminary investigation, an indictment has been filed with the 8th Judicial Circuit Court.
The Ministry of Justice, through the office of the County Attorney of Nimba County, has disclosed its full readiness to proceed with prosecution during the May Term of Court. If the case is called for trial, Mary Giah may choose to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty following the reading of the indictment in open court. Under Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, a defendant arraigned on an indictment may plead guilty or not guilty.
However, when she elects a not guilty plea, it shifts the burden on the Prosecution to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The case will then proceed with a jury trial as well as the presentation of evidence, witness testimonies, and arguments from both sides.
For a guilty plea, a plea bargain agreement will likely be negotiated between the Public Defender and the State, subject to the defendant’s consent and court approval. This agreement may involve recommendations for sentencing or other considerations.
