—Suspects Bias as Police Charges Cab Driver with Murder
MONROVIA – The pro-democracy advocacy group, Green Revolution of Liberia, has raised alarm over what it calls a “dangerous miscarriage of justice” in the case involving Francis Nana, charged with murder in the traffic death of Liberia National Police (LNP) patrolman Mark Bracewell.
In a statement issued Thursday, October 2, 2025, under the title “Is This a Murder or An Accident?”, Green Revolution, through its National Gladiator and Chairman, Manja Varney Gbessay Kromah, acknowledged the tragedy but warned that justice must be impartial, rooted in facts, and free from public pressure. “What we are witnessing in the ongoing case against Francis Nana is not justice, but a dangerous miscarriage of it — a prejudicial and legally biased proceeding orchestrated by the State,” the group said.
Incident Overview
The incident occurred early morning on Sunday, September 29, 2025, at a security checkpoint near the Gabriel Tucker Bridge, central Monrovia. LNP officers, including Patrolman Bracewell, were conducting routine vehicle inspections when Nana, 32, allegedly failed to stop his vehicle for inspection.
According to police, Nana accelerated toward the checkpoint despite multiple commands to halt. In a desperate attempt to prevent him from passing, Bracewell moved to close a barricade but was struck. Witnesses say Bracewell leapt onto the hood of Nana’s yellow Nissan Almera (license plate TX-A0022), pleading for his life, before being slammed into a concrete median, sustaining fatal injuries.
After the collision, Nana allegedly abandoned his vehicle and attempted to flee, but was apprehended by private security personnel nearby. During police interrogation, Nana claimed he panicked and did not realize Bracewell remained on the vehicle. However, LNP authorities confirmed that the brakes on the vehicle were fully functional, contradicting his claim of mechanical failure.
The LNP’s Criminal Investigation Division subsequently charged Nana with murder under Chapter 14, Subchapter A, Section 14.1 of the Penal Law of Liberia. He is currently awaiting trial.
Green Revolution Criticizes Police Conduct
Green Revolution contends that the police, who should act as impartial investigators, instead allowed public sentiment to dictate the proceedings. “Instead of safeguarding evidence, they marched in the streets, held placards, and labeled the accused a ‘murderer’ before trial,” the statement said.
The group also criticized the “heavy escort” of the accused through the Temple of Justice, the media narrative framing the incident as intentional, and the public tributes at the scene. “The police transformed themselves from investigators into complainants, from impartial witnesses into emotional participants,” the group stated.
According to Green Revolution, the incident bears the hallmarks of a traffic accident rather than a premeditated act of murder. They urged the courts to uphold the rule of law, free from public spectacle and bias, emphasizing that “justice delayed is dangerous, but justice denied through bias and prejudice is fatal to the Republic.”
Court Prepares to Adjudicate
The case is now before a competent court in Liberia. Public attention remains high, with expectations for a verdict that balances legal principles, evidence, and fairness, rather than succumbing to emotional or political pressure.
Green Revolution’s statement concludes with a call for adherence to the principles of due process, presumption of innocence, and impartiality — cornerstones of Liberia’s justice system.
