SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba County, Liberia — A majority jury verdict has acquitted Isaac Dopoe, a 41-year-old man charged with the alleged rape of a 3-year-old child, following deliberations in the Sexual Offenses Division Court of the 8th Judicial Circuit for Nimba County.
The verdict was reached on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in the jury’s deliberation room, with 11 of the 12 impaneled jurors voting not guilty in favor of Dopoe, and one guilty verdict.
The majority not-guilty verdict brings the case to an end after the defendant faced a second trial following a hung verdict in the first trial during the May 2026 Term of Court.
During the first trial, the 12-member jury then failed to reach the required majority, with five jurors voting guilty and seven voting not guilty. The undecided verdict prompted the court to order a new trial.
Under Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, a valid verdict in most criminal trials requires a 9-to-3 majority among the 12 impaneled jurors. Because the jury failed to meet that threshold during the first trial, the case proceeded to a new trial.
The Ministry of Justice had indicted Dopoe for the alleged commission of rape, which prosecutors said occurred on December 18, 2025, in Beo Gborplay Town, Nimba County Electoral District #4.
The Nimba County Grand Jury, sitting during its February 2026 Term of Court, returned a true bill charging Dopoe with rape, a first-degree felony, allegedly committed against a minor under 18 years of age.
Under Liberian law, first-degree rape is punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, with convicted offenders potentially facing lengthy prison terms depending on the circumstances of the case.
Prosecutors alleged that Dopoe twice sent the child to bring water for him from Beauty’s house to drink, while she was playing with 10-year-old Terry. According to the prosecution, Dopoe followed the child and sexually assaulted her.
Police Sex Crimes Unit investigators said Dopoe categorically denied sexually abusing the child, identified in court records by the initials “A.F.,” while acknowledging that he came into contact with her.
During the trial, Janet Smith, the child’s mother, testified that her daughter told her on the afternoon of December 18, 2025, that Dopoe had put his hands inside her clothes after asking her to go into the house and bring him water.
Smith testified that she immediately confronted Dopoe, but he denied the allegation. She said Dopoe attempted to flee but was apprehended by two boys in the area, who subsequently turned him over to the police.
Several prosecution witnesses subsequently testified and provided evidence concerning the allegations.
Marthaline Flomo, identified as an eyewitness, testified that she conducted a preliminary examination of the child near the alleged crime scene. Sam V. Seboe, a police investigator, and Konah Y. Tozay, the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) nurse assigned to G.W. Harley Hospital, also testified regarding the investigation and medical examination.
Nurse examiner Tozay told the court that a medical examination, laboratory tests, and physical screening were conducted on the alleged victim.
According to her testimony, the examination revealed evidence that was consistent with penetration. She further testified that, during examination of the genital area, fresh blood stains were observed on the child’s underclothes.
Defendant Isaac Dopoe took the witness stand in his own defense and denied all of the prosecution’s allegations, including sexually assaulting the child.
He testified that he interacted with the child and a 9-year-old boy identified as Terry Meapeh at “Beauty’s house.” According to Dopoe, he initially asked Terry to bring him water, but Terry instead sent the child to get the water.
“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 for my money.”
Dopoe maintained that he did not sexually assault the child.
Jury Acquittal
Following the new trial, which began on Friday, August 28, and concluded on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the jury returned an 11-to-1 majority verdict in favor of Dopoe after deliberating on the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defense.
The verdict acquitted Dopoe of the rape charge.
Following the jury’s majority not-guilty verdict, the court polled the jurors individually in open court to confirm the vote count before formally accepting the verdict and discharging the jury.
Resident Circuit Judge Musa S. Sidibey of the Sexual Offenses Division Court subsequently ordered Dopoe’s immediate release from the custody of Sanniquellie Central Prison.
Dopoe was therefore ordered released without serving any additional time in connection with the rape charge.
Under Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, a defendant who receives a majority or unanimous not-guilty verdict from a trial jury is entitled to release from custody following an acquittal, unless the defendant is being held on other pending charges.
Section 23.2 of Liberia’s Revised Code of Criminal Procedure provides for the immediate release of a defendant following a jury’s not-guilty verdict.
