Gray D. Allison

Gray Dio-Glaye Allison (died c. 1990) was a Liberian military officer who served as Minister of National Defense from 1982 to 1989 under President Samuel Doe. He was dismissed in 1989 after being charged in connection with a ritual killing case and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death by a military tribunal.

Career Allison was appointed Minister of National Defense in 1982, succeeding General Albert Karpeh, and served in the position until his dismissal in July 1989 following his arrest.

During Allison’s tenure as Minister of National Defense, the Armed Forces of Liberia were involved in the suppression of student protests at the University of Liberia in August 1984. The demonstrations were sparked by opposition to the detention of political figures, including Dr. Amos Sawyer and Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh.

Troops entered the university campus to disperse protesters, resulting in violent clashes in which numerous students and faculty members were injured.

According to testimony presented to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Flazamington opened fire on the presidential vehicle with a .50 caliber machine gun, wounding security personnel but failing to kill Doe.

He was dismissed as Minister of National Defense in July 1989 following the charges. The victim was identified as police patrolman Melvin Pyne.

In August 1989, a military court found Allison guilty and sentenced him to death by firing squad, pending presidential approval.

Death According to testimony presented to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia, Allison was taken from Belleh Yellah Garrison in 1990 and transported to Voinjama, where he was reportedly executed by firing squad.

Personal life Allison was married to Angeline “Watta” Allison. During the First Liberian Civil War, she was captured by forces loyal to warlord Prince Y. Johnson. According to reporting by FrontPage Africa, she was interrogated on video and was reportedly executed on Johnson’s orders.

Legacy Allison is considered one of the most prominent officials of the Doe era to be convicted of ritual killing, reflecting the political instability and climate of fear that characterized Liberia in the late 1980s.