By Precious D. Freeman
An elderly man, Eli Johnson, tragically lost his life on Christmas Eve, allegedly at the hands of his son, Amos Johnson, following a dispute over money intended for Christmas celebrations.
The Monrovia City Court on Thursday, January 2, 2025, ordered the detention of Amos, aged 39, at the Monrovia Central Prison on charges of murder.
The ruling was delivered by Stipendiary Magistrate Ben L. Barco after a thorough investigation by the Liberia National Police (LNP).
According to the police charge sheet, the tragic event unfolded in the Bassa Town Community, Paynesville, on the night of December 24-25, 2024.
Witnesses, including Johnson’s sisters, allege that defendant Amos had a history of threatening and harassing his father, frequently demanding money and making violent threats if his demands were not met.
On December 24, defendant Amos was reportedly seen at home with his father; later, neighbors and residents observed him with blood stains and scratches on his hands and face, suggesting a physical altercation.
A resident, Vasco Hengbetus questioned the defendant about his father’s whereabouts and Amos allegedly became aggressive and threatened Hengbetus with a rock, and fled the scene.
He then proceeded to the Redlight Police Station in Paynesville, where he was later arrested.
Another witness, Ogrady M. Dagher said he too confronted defendant Amos about the blood on his hands but initially, defendant Amos claimed he had been in a motorbike accident and later changed his story, saying he had fallen while retrieving clothes from a clothesline.
The police investigation established that defendant Amos was last seen with his father on December 24, 2024, before the discovery of the victim’s body; that Amos used a rock to fatally strike his father on the head and that the defendant’s conflicting statements about the blood on his hands raised further suspicion.
Witness accounts from Dagher and Hengbetus point to Amos’s involvement in the crime.
During the court’s hearing, defendant Amos denied all allegations, insisting he had no involvement in his father’s death.
However, the weight of the evidence, including witness testimonies and physical observations, led the court to proceed with formal charges.
The case has been filed under Chapter 14, Section 14.1 of the Penal Law of Liberia, which addresses the crime of murder.
The Monrovia City Court has remanded Amos to the Monrovia Central Prison pending further trial.
The police and legal authorities have assured the public of a thorough and transparent prosecution to ensure justice is served.
This tragic incident has left the Bassa Town Community in shock, highlighting the devastating consequences of unresolved family disputes and financial pressures during festive seasons.
