PHOTO: Defendant Henry Tucker
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
The man who in 2020 allegedly killed a local community radio Journalist, Chris David linked to stealing a goat in Liberia’s central Bong County, is expected to appear in court today, Thursday, March 10, 2022.
Defendant Henry Tucker is to appear at the 9th Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga.
Journalist David was an announcer at the Catholic-run Radio Paraclete in Gbarnga.
Defendant Tucker was initially indicted for the crime of murder but due to the nature of the case his indictment has been amended to manslaughter because he was provoked by the alleged goat rogue journalist and his conspirator Prince Garlawulo.
The defendant was indicted during the November A.D. 2020 term of court.
Some claimed that the late Journalist revealed was a criminal who was operating under the disguise of journalist, an allegation that was widely challenged by some of his colleagues in Bong.
Defendant Tucker has spent one year in prison is expected to plead guilty to his manslaughter charge after his indictment was amended to manslaughter.
His manslaughter indictment was done through a pre-bargaining on March 8,2022 by state prosecutor headed by Bong County Attorney Jonathan Flomo and affirmed by public defender, Cllr. Mohammeh Golafalley.
Background
The Liberia National Police arrested the alleged killer of Journalist Chris David, who was allegedly shot dead by defendant Henry Tucker a police statement said in Monrovia on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Victim Chris David’s lifeless body was discovered lying in a creek on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at mid-day near Tucker Town, Bong County on the road leading to Lofa County.
During Police preliminary investigation, a twelve-man Coroner Jury was constituted to conduct an inquest/ physical examination on the body and reported that the victim died as a result of a bullet wound from a single barrel gun.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, the Liberia National Police is pleased to inform you and the public, especially the media community that Journalist David alleged killer has been arrested. Suspect Henry Tucker, a farmer of the Tucker Community, Bong County was arrested late last evening, November 2, 2020 after a manhunt was declared for suspect Prince Garlawulo, a notorious robber in Bong County.”
Suspect Prince Garlawulo speaking to investigators after his arrest confirmed the shooting of his colleague, Journalist Chris Davis by suspect Henry Tucker. Suspect Garlawulo further informed Police investigators said that he and the deceased journalist were usually in the business of stealing goats,” the police statement said.
He admitted that on several occasions, he and Journalist Brown have succeeded in stealing goats and selling them to a lady identified as Geeta Bryant.
Suspect Garlawulo told Police investigators that it was very unfortunate for them Thursday night, when he and the deceased journalist visited the farm of suspect Henry Tucker in order to steal goats that led to the deceased journalist being shot dead with a single barrel gun.
Also speaking to Police investigators, suspect Henry Tucker admitted to shooting Journalist Chris David Brown. He told investigators that his goats have always been stolen by unknown persons. Suspect Tucker added that on Thursday night, he saw two unidentified men who visited his farm to steal his goats. He said when the two mean were about escaping with his goats, he alarmed and discharged his single barrel gun which led to the death of the journalist. In conversation with Police Investigators,
Madam Geeta Bryant confirmed regular interaction between she and the deceased Journalist in the trade of goats. Meanwhile, suspect Prince Garlawulo and Henry Tucker are currently under Police custody undergoing further investigation.
The single barrel gun used by suspect Henry Tucker has also been retrieved and is in Police custody. Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, we want to use this medium to call on all well-meaning and peaceful Liberians to give Police investigations a chance and also continue to support Police Investigators with useful information in enhancing Police investigations.
The public can be assured that those arrested will be duly charged and forwarded to court in order to face the full weight of the law, the Liberian National Police statement said.