With less than 24 hrs following the ruling by Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court “A” to thro-out the independent autopsy conducted on Toni Jackson, has sparked debate across Monrovia.
Judge Willie ruled that the examination legally “invalid” and inadmissible. The decision, handed down on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, voids the medical findings because the examiner, Dr. Rockefeller F. Cooper II, does not hold a proper license as a pathologist from the Liberia Medical and Dental Council (LMDC).
The court declared Dr. Cooper’s post-mortem examination “null and void ab initio”. It cannot be used to support the defense during the upcoming trial.
State prosecutors argued that while Dr. Cooper is a licensed Forensic Medico-Legal Death Investigator under the Allied Health category, he is not certified to independently perform forensic autopsies. Only an LMDC-certified pathologist has that statutory authority.
While the physical autopsy findings were thrown out, other investigative tasks performed by Dr. Cooper—such as witness interviews and scene evidence collection—remain legally valid.
The case involves prominent Liberian economist and politician Samuel P. Jackson, who is charged with manslaughter and negligent homicide following the March 2026 death of his wife, Ntombi Toni Khumalo Jackson.
The defense team previously requested a private, independent autopsy due to extreme delays by state prosecutors in providing the government’s official forensic report. Although Judge Willie initially granted permission for the independent review, he reversed course after the Ministry of Justice challenged the expert’s medical credentials.
Samuel P. Jackson remains free on a $20,000 property valuation bond while the legal proceedings continue. The substantive criminal trial is expected to push forward during the ongoing May Term of Court.
Prior to this ruling, controversy emerged over the prolonged delay in releasing the Autopsy Report.
Some sources hinted that the Autopsy Report was since given to the Government about a month ago, but they remain tight-lipped.
‘What is more alarming is that the Death Certificate is not firmed on the Cause of Death, A source familiar with the findings stated.
According to sources familiar with the findings of the Autopsy, said Mrs. Jackson wither died from multiple head injuries, Chronic seizures or a force blunt object to the Head causing the deep laceration.
Other Sources hint that Toni Khumalo Jackson had a long medical history involving seizures, falls and alcohol withdrawn. She suffered many falls which may have caused the multiple “HEAD INJURIES”.
Multiple source also stated that the ‘Deep Laceration on the Crown of deceased head, was actually the brain surgery performed on her at the JFK Medical Center before she Died. “It was Not caused by anyone, it was done by Medical Professionals.”
On the heels of Judge Willie’s ruling, the authoritative Independent had earlier gathered that both Khumalo and Sam Jackson families were said to make final preparation for a joint public statement demanding the Release of the Autopsy Report and the body to them for an independent Autopsy and lay their Loved One to Rest.
On whether or not there was a cordial relationship between Mr. Samuel Jackson and his late wife’s family, sources hinted that the relationship were still cordial between the two families.
