PHOTO: James Cole Sumo
By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
GBARTALA, Liberia- Police in Gbarnga have charged and forwarded to court a 22-year-old man identified as James Cole Sumo in connection to the death of a motorcyclist in Yelequelleh District.
According to police preliminary investigation, defendant Sumo reportedly murdered victim Survivor Faijue Kamara, 23, on Sunday, July 30 at about 2pm while en route from Negbelai Town, Yelequelleh District to Gbarnga.
The Police inquest established that prior to the occurrence of the incident, defendant Sumo had asked Victim Kamara to transport him to Gbarnga for LD$900.00.
After reaching certain part of the road, LNP charge sheet reveals that defendant Sumo “started to fight Victim Kamara to take away his motorbike but strongly resisted, at which point he pull-out a cutlass from his side and chopped the Victim at the back of his neck, concealed his body under a log in a creek along the road and quickly fled the scene with the bike”.
In an interview with Journalists Wednesday, August 2, the General Commander of the Liberia National Police-Bong Detachment, Fasu V. Sheriff said a 15-member coroner jury established that following the discovery of the Victim, it was reported that Kamara died due to serious wound inflicted on the back of his neck.
Mr. Sheriff explained that during the investigation, defendant James Cole Sumo voluntarily admitted to the commission of the act in the presence of Public Defendant Counselor Mohammed A. Golafallay. But he refused to locate the scene of the crime.
He also pleaded with national government for forgiveness; stating that his decision was influenced by the devil.
Meanwhile, Defendant James Cole Sumo CKA Kofi has been charged with MURDER, ARMED ROBBERY and THEFT OF PROPERTY.
The charges are in line with Sections 14.1, 15.32 & 15.51 of the New Penal Code of the Republic of Liberia pending trial at the Gbartala Magisterial Court.