By Vaye A. Lepolu
MONROVIA, Liberia — Criminal Court “C” has ordered the compassionate medical release of former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, granting her request to leave detention while her criminal case proceeds. The decision, nade Friday, September 4, 2026, places Madam Taylor under strict residential detention at her Sinkor residence on Tubman Boulevard.
The court explicitly stated that the release is based solely on medical grounds and does not constitute a dismissal, acquittal, pardon, immunity, or termination of the criminal proceedings against her.
Madam Taylor had argued that she suffers from a life-threatening medical condition requiring continuous treatment unavailable at the Monrovia Central Prison. The court noted that her medical claim received support not only from her own application but also from a separate request filed by the respondent seeking the same relief.
However, the court found that the legal provision Taylor cited—Chapter 34, Section 34.20 of the Criminal Procedure Law, which allows for prison leave due to illness—did not apply to her circumstances. The provision, the court explained, pertains to individuals who have been indicted, tried, convicted, sentenced, and committed to prison. As a pre-trial detainee who has not been formally indicted, Taylor fell outside its scope.
Despite the inapplicability of the cited provision, the court invoked Section 1.2 of the Criminal Procedure Law, which requires criminal proceedings to be handled in a manner promoting fairness and the just determination of cases. With the respondent raising no objection to Taylor’s release, the court determined that the relief should not be denied solely on technical legal grounds.
Under the court’s order, Madam Taylor must remain under detention at her residence rather than returning to Monrovia Central Prison. She is required to surrender all travel documents to the court’s Sheriff immediately upon release.
Additional conditions include:
· One caregiver, preferably a close relative, must remain at the residence to provide daily care, with any change requiring court approval
· Only Taylor’s physician and the designated caregiver are permitted entry to the residence
· The respondent must establish a visitation schedule for other visitors
· Taylor may leave only pursuant to a court order or for approved medical appointments
· 24-hour security or police protection will be maintained at the residence, with a complete visitor log required
The court made clear that the compassionate release does not end the criminal case against Taylor.
Madam Taylor was arrested by the Liberia National Police on August 19, 2026, and briefly detained at Police Headquarters before being charged and forwarded to the Monrovia City Magisterial Court. Following proceedings on September 2, 2026, she was ordered detained at Monrovia Central Prison.
The court also ruled that the Monrovia City Magisterial Court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over the charges and therefore could not grant substantive relief in the case. The Magistrate’s decision to decline Taylor’s initial request for compassionate leave was found to be consistent with the law.
The matter ultimately reached Criminal Court “C” through Taylor’s motion for compassionate medical release—supported by a medical report—and a separate request from the respondent seeking similar relief. The court consolidated both applications and granted Taylor’s release under the strict conditions outlined in its order.
