Liberia: Two Sentenced to 30 Years for Murder of Woman Accused of Witchcraft in Maryland

The sentence, handed down Monday by Assigned Circuit Judge Cllr. George S. Wiles Jr., includes five years of hard labor.

HARPER, Maryland County — The Fourth Judicial Circuit Court in Maryland County has sentenced Dougbe Newton and Friday Newton to 30 years in prison for the murder of Josephene Sieh, a woman who was allegedly accused of witchcraft.

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By Peter P. Toe, Jr., [email protected]

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The sentence, handed down Monday, September 7, 2026 by Assigned Circuit Judge Cllr. George S. Wiles Jr., includes five years of hard labor.

The court also ordered the Clerk of Court to prepare permanent commitment orders for the two men to be detained at the Harper Central Prison.

The two were convicted following a jury trial in which they were found guilty of murder.

The case initially involved nine defendants, but charges against four were dismissed, leaving five to proceed to trial after pleading not guilty.

During the proceedings, Victor Brown later pleaded guilty, while Augustine Karyee and David Y. Sieh maintained their not-guilty pleas.

Following final arguments, the jury acquitted Karyee, returned a hung verdict in the case involving David Y. Sieh and found Dougbe Newton and Friday Newton guilty of murder.

According to the indictment, Josephene Sieh, a resident of Gbaken Town, karluway District, Maryland County was allegedly beaten to death on the night of August 8, 2025 after she was accused of witchcraft.

The indictment further alleged that Sieh was tied up during the assault before her body was dumped in a bush.

Her body was later discovered with visible bruises, according to the case presented before the court.

In its final ruling, the court said the evidence and circumstances presented during the trial established that Dougbe Newton and Friday Newton were responsible for Sieh’s murder.

The sentencing concludes the trial against the two men, while the hung verdict involving David Y. Sieh leaves his case unresolved.