Monrovia, May 20 -- A dramatic turn unfolded Monday, May 18 at the Criminal Court "A" as the murder trial of commercial driver Francis Nana ended in a mistrial, following a deadlocked jury that split evenly on the defendant's fate.

By Willie N. Tokpah

After hours of deliberation, jurors returned a six-to-six verdict, six voting not guilty and six voting guilty, effectively halting proceedings in a case that has gripped public attention and raised broader questions about

Investigative standards and prosecutorial burden in Liberia's justice system.

Nana had been accused by state prosecutors of causing the death of Mark D. Bracewell, an officer of the Liberia National Police(LNP), during a traffic encounter in Monrovia.

The prosecution ...