The alleged murder trial of defendant Francis Nana resumed Wednesday at Criminal Court “A,” but his cross-examination raised concerns after jurors and prosecutors confronted him with multiple inconsistencies in his narrative surrounding the death of Police Officer Mark D. Bracewell.
Nana maintained that the September 28, 2025 incident was “an accident,” but his answers shifted repeatedly under questioning, contradicting portions of his earlier testimony and written statement. Jurors questioned Nana about his speed while leaving Broad and Johnson Streets. “I was not on speed,” he told them confidently. However, prosecutors confronted him with his own written statement in which he admitted he was “confused and kept accelerating.” When asked if he stood by that written account, Nana answered, “Yes.”
At another point despite defense objections the defendant again answered, “Yes” when prosecutors suggested he was driving at an excessive speed. Nana also struggled under questioning about the visibility at the checkpoint on the Gabriel Tucker Bridge. He repeatedly told prosecutors that the area was “dark” and that he could not recall how many police officers were present.
Yet moments later, he insisted he was able to smell alcohol on Officer Bracewell whom he described as “overactive,” and identified him clearly. This drew concern from observers, as Nana’s ability to recall specific behaviors while claiming poor visibility appeared contradictory.
The defendant stated that the officer who stopped him walked behind his vehicle, but later altered his account when answering jurors’ questions, saying the same officer was also seen dealing with another vehicle at the front. Prosecutors noted each inconsistency for the record and served notice that rebuttal witnesses would be produced.
Despite the shifting details, Nana consistently accused several Liberia National Police officers of physically assaulting him during and after his arrest. He repeated allegations that one officer struck him with a pepper spray canister and that the Inspector General hit him during questioning.
Throughout cross-examination, the prosecution pressed Nana on the contradictions, suggesting his changing statements undermined his credibility. The court sustained several defense objections, but Nana often answered questions even after objections were upheld, further complicating his testimony.
By the end of the session, jurors appeared concerned as Nana continued to affirm conflicting versions of events. The prosecution says it plans to bring rebuttal witnesses to challenge the defendant’s credibility and establish that his “accident” narrative cannot be relied upon. The trial continues at Criminal Court ‘A’ on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
