By Grace Q. Bryant
An Agent of the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency, identified as Charles Joefula, has been sent to the Monrovia Central Prison for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Johnette Smallwood, in Logan Town.
Suspect Joefula was charged with the crime of Possession and sale of physical objects for lethal use and Manslaughter, in violation of chapter 17, section 17.11 and chapter 14. Section 14.2, of the revised Penal code of the Republic of Liberia,
According to the police charge sheet, Joefula, a resident of Logan Town and also a DEA agent, was arrested and informed of his constitutional rights, having been investigated for purposely, knowingly, and recklessly causing the death of deceased Smallwood with a single barrel shotgun on August 21.
Per the investigation conducted, Suspect Joefula came from performing his duty as a drugs enforcement agent, parked his vehicle, and went to Logan Town in search of one of his friends (Moses Sumo). He met him sitting where they usually meet to entertain themselves after working hours.
The charge sheet noted that they were then joined by deceased Smallwood, after she was called by her boyfriend Charles making the total number three.
“While they were sitting on the bench, witness Jah Louise came and called Moses Sumo behind the house, the others were sitting and having a conversation, a gun was fired in the gathering and the voice of deceased Smallwood was heard saying “Charles you kill me!” He then ran to the back of the house to Moses in a confused state, saying “I mistakenly killed my girlfriend”.
In response, some community members helped take her to the Redemption Hospital for immediate medical attention,” charge sheet explained.
The charge sheet maintained that she was then referred to the John F. Kennedy Hospital, where she was pronounced dead before arrival (DBA) by the medical doctor on call.
The police findings revealed that on August 21, Suspect Joefula came from work, parked his vehicle, and took a motorbike to Logan Town Zinc Camp Community to find his friend Moses Sumo.
The findings maintained that Suspect Charles was in possession of a single barrel pistol and at the time of the incident, there was no confusion, quarrel or misunderstanding between them.
The findings added that Joefula prematurely handled the gun while in the midst of people, in a gathering where they usually meet to amuse themselves within the neighborhood; meanwhile, Joefula is not a certified arm carrier, neither did he have any former firearm training.
“A single barrel shotgun with brown handle and silver color, along with one empty shell, were recovered from where it was hidden, within the proximity of the scene of the incident,” the findings concluded.
