Court Rejects Bid to Add Rep. Yorgbor to Indictment, Citing Delay and Legal Limits

Capitol Hill, Monrovia | Criminal Court “A” has denied a prosecution request to add Representative Jerry Yorgbor of Montserrado County District #12 to the ongoing indictment, ruling that such an amendment at this stage would stall the trial and violate established legal procedures.

Presiding Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie issued the ruling on Monday, December 1, 2025, after prosecutors asked the Court to include Rep. Yorgbor under the category “others to be identified,” claiming he is linked to charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal facilitation.

Judge Willie: No Formal Defect to Correct

Prosecutors argued that their request was supported by Chapter 14, Subsection 14.7(1–2) of the Criminal Procedure Law, which permits amendments to correct formal defects.

But Judge Willie disagreed, stating that the amendment sought by the prosecution does not correct any formal defect and therefore does not fall within the scope of the statute.

He added that adding a new defendant at this point after the indictment has been read and pleas have been entered would require Rep. Yorgbor to undergo the entire procedural process, including examining each sworn juror, ultimately delaying the proceedings.

Defense Opposes Move, Says Prosecution Targeting Jury

Defense counsel Cllr. Wilkins Michael Wright argued strongly against the application, stating that the prosecution’s motion was part of a broader attempt to “disband the entire selected jurors.”

Wright noted that Rep. Yorgbor’s name does not appear anywhere on the original indictment, contradicting the prosecution’s claim. He acknowledged the state’s right to amend indictments but insisted that such amendments are limited once trial is underway.

Adding Yorgbor now, he argued, would effectively restart key phases of the trial:

“Doing so would amount to redoing everything, delay the case, and violate the rights of defendants currently held in detention,” Wright said.

Defense Cites Legal Restrictions on Amendments

Cllr. Wright further relied on Chapter 14, Subsection 14.7(3), which restricts amendments to situations where there is a variance between allegations and evidence—provided the amendment does not introduce a new offense or additional defendant.

Under that provision, he said, the Court cannot add Rep. Yoker as an accused at this stage of the proceedings.

Application Denied

After considering arguments from both sides, Judge Willie denied the prosecution’s application, clearing the way for the trial to continue with the existing defendants and jury panel.