PHOTO: Defendant Amos B. Johnson (dressed in blue T-shirt) being escorted to court from the national police headquarters by court liaison
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- An elderly man, Eli B. Johnson was unable to survive to celebrate his Christmas due to his brutal killing on the eve of the festive season allegedly at the hands of his own son.
The Monrovia City Court on Thursday January 2,2025, sent to jail defendant Amos B. J. Johnson, age 39 for allegedly killing his father Eli B. Johnson because he claimed he did not give him money for Christmas.
This court, presided over by its stipendiary magistrate Ben L. Barco, ordered that suspect Amos Johnson be sent to the Monrovia Central Prison on murder charge, after the Liberia National Police had investigated and charged him.
According to police charge sheet, the incident occurred in the Bassa town community Paynesville.
Police charge sheet revealed that on Christmas Day December 25,2024, defendant Johnson was accused by his sisters of murdering his biological father victim Eli B. Johnson for not given him (Amos B. Johnson) Christmas money.
Investigation further revealed that defendant Johnson has always been in the constant practice of harassing and threatening his father to eliminate him all of the times if he fails.
The investigation gathered that on the date of the incident, December 24-25,2024, defendant Johnson and his late father (victim Eli B. Johnson) were at the house when the incident occurred.
Police investigation unearthed that defendant Johnson was observed with blood and scratches on the hands and right face as if he was involved into a fight with someone.
After allegedly killing his father, he was questioned by Ogrady M. Dagher about the blood that was seen on him, but he told him that he made a motorbike accident.
When questioned by a resident of the community Vasco Hengbetus about the whereabouts of his father, defendant Johnson got annoyed and threatening to stone Vasco Hengbetus and took off with a terrific speed and went at the Redlight police station for rescue where he was arrested.
Defendant Johnson was lastly seen with his father at the Bassa town community residence on December 24,2024.
Investigation findings
That defendant Amos B. Johnson was lastly seen with his father on December 24,2024 prior to the discovery of victim Eli B. Johnson body in his room.
That a crime of murder was committed by defendant Johnson on December 25,2024, when he used rock and knocked his father’s head.
That while defendant Johnson being questioned by Vasco Hengbetus about the whereabouts of his father, he threatened him with a rock and then ran from their residence and went straight at the Paynesville, Red Light police station where he was arrested.
That according to Ogray M. Dagher, that when he observed blood on defendant Johnson and asked him, he told Dagher that he had a motor bike accident which contradicted his statement when he later said, he fell on the stairs while taking his clothes from the line.
For his part, defendant Johnson denied the allegation levied against him and said, he had no idea about how his late father was murdered.
Conclusion
In view of the foregoing and circumstances involving the death of victim Eli B. Johnson who was lastly seen with his son defendant Amos B. Johnson on December 25,2024, coupled with statements obtained from various persons of entrust, this investigation has resolved to charge defendant Johnson with the crime of murder in accordance to Chapter 14 section 14.1 of New penal law of the Republic of Liberia.