HARPER, Maryland County — September 7, 2026: The Fourth Judicial Circuit Court in Maryland County has sentenced Dougbe Newton and Friday Newton to 30 years in prison, including five years of hard labor, for the murder of Josephine Sieh of Gbaken Town.
The sentence was delivered on Monday, September 7, 2026, by Assigned Circuit Judge Cllr. George S. Wiles, Jr., following the guilty verdicts returned by the trial jury. The court’s ruling confirms the jury’s decisions and orders that the sentence take effect immediately.
According to the indictment, Josephine Sieh was beaten to death on the night of Friday, August 8, 2025, after being accused of witchcraft. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Sieh was tied up while the defendants assaulted her. Her body was later discovered dumped in the bush with severe bruises.
The court stated that the evidence established that Dougbe and Friday Newton committed the murder, noting that the 30-year sentence aims to punish the crime and deter future violence. The Clerk of Court was ordered to prepare a permanent commitment for the defendants to serve their term at Harper Central Prison.
The case initially involved nine defendants, but charges against four were dismissed before trial. Of the remaining five who stood trial, Victor Brown submitted a guilty plea, while Augustine Karyee and David Y. Sieh maintained their innocence.
Following final arguments, the trial jury returned a not-guilty verdict for Karyee, a hung verdict for Sieh, and guilty verdicts for Dougbe Newton and Friday Newton. The court subsequently released Karyee.
The ruling brings the high-profile murder trial to a conclusion for Dougbe and Friday Newton as they begin their 30-year sentences, while the court record reflects the varying outcomes for the other individuals originally charged.
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