MONROVIA – The family of the late Princess Zoe Wesseh is demanding full justice as the Ministry of Justice’s Division of Probation and Parole Services has submitted a Pre-Sentence Investigation Report (PSIR) to Criminal Court “B” in the gruesome murder case involving defendant Bill Jallah.
The report, requested by Assigned Circuit Judge Wesseh A. Wesseh Sr., is expected to guide the court’s upcoming sentencing decision in one of the most widely followed criminal cases of the year.
The Crime
According to court documents, on December 21, 2024, Jallah allegedly stabbed 34-year-old Princess Zoe Wesseh seven times with a silver-bladed knife, causing severe lacerations and puncture wounds. She was rushed to ELWA Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead-on arrival.
Investigators from the Liberia National Police (LNP) recovered the weapon at the crime scene. Prosecutors say Jallah concealed the knife under his clothing, pointing to premeditation. He later confessed to investigators, though in a recent prison interview he claimed memory loss from the night of the incident.
Family’s Plea
The victim’s mother, Ma Waydeh Wesseh, told probation officers that she is now struggling to raise her late daughter’s 12-year-old son.
“My grandson keeps asking for his mother, and I don’t know what to tell him. I can barely provide for him. I want justice for my daughter so others know that life is sacred,” she said tearfully.
Defendant’s Account
From Monrovia Central Prison, the 39-year-old defendant expressed remorse, saying he had been drinking heavily on the night of the incident and claimed he could not recall the stabbing.
“I loved her. I don’t know what happened, but I regret what led to her death. I ask the State and her family to forgive me,” Jallah said.
Social Background
The PSIR described Jallah as a first-time offender with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, married with two daughters. Community members gave mixed accounts of his character — some described him as quiet, others said he was rarely engaged in local life.
Probation officers, however, concluded that the killing was deliberate and reckless, noting that Jallah appeared mentally unstable after the incident.
Next Steps
Judge Wesseh is expected to announce sentencing in the coming days. The court faces the delicate task of balancing Jallah’s background and remorse against the heinous nature of the crime and the victim’s family’s demands for accountability.
Wider Context
This case has intensified public debate over gender-based violence (GBV) and domestic killings in Liberia, which have been on the rise in recent years despite government and civil society campaigns. Rights advocates say the court’s ruling could set a critical precedent for how the judiciary handles cases involving violence against women. The spotlight is now firmly on the judiciary, as citizens watch whether the outcome will deliver justice for Princess Zoe Wesseh and send a broader message of deterrence against gender-driven violence.
