By: Staff Writer
Monrovia –Defendant Duraman Kamara, the businessman who was found guilty of ordering the murdered of a civilian, Richard Tolbert, 24, was recently sentenced to life in prison. At his sentencing, Judge Alphonsus Wesseh of the 5th Judicial Circuit Court in Grand Cape County ruled and affirmed the unanimous verdict of the jurors.
Justifying his decision, Judge Wesseh said, the prosecution proved the murder case beyond all reasonable doubt Kamara was also indicted by his co-defendant Morris Konneh of murder and criminal conspiracy. Surprisingly, the prosecution dropped the charges against Konneh in exchange of his testimony.
Before the sentence, Wesseh had earlier denied the defense lawyers motion for a new trial challenging the guilty verdict of the panel of jury.
Initially,
The incident took place on November 5, 2023, after the deceased was allegedly turned over to him for blood ritual by Co-defendant Morris Konneh,in in Tailalor, Kru Town, Teward District, Grand cape Mount County.
The indictment alleges that on November 5, 2023, Defendant Kamara hired Co-Defendant Konneh to bring his friend, the deceased, for blood sacrifices for a reward of LRD10.000 and then gave his co-defendant LRD5,000 along with a plastic bag containing the drug Kush.
Thereafter, the court documents said, Konneh on the night of November 5 went to the home of the deceased and convinced him (deceased), to join him for his friend’s son birthday party at a local bar, in the area.
The indictment further alleged that the deceased accepted and followed defendant Konneh; despite resistance from the deceased’s sister, who had insisted that the victim was going nowhere.
Immediately and without the consent of his sister, the document alleges that both the deceased and Konneh were seen by onlookers at the local bar merry-making in celebration of the birthday party.
While drinking, the indictment alleges that the deceased decided to attend nature outside of the local bar. It was when defendant Konneh was said to have put what appears to be narcotic substances or KUSH in the victim liquor (drinks).
Afterwards, the indictment alleges that the deceased returned and drank the liquor immediately he became helpless, and thereafter, Morris Konneh took him away, and was later discovered with bruises on his body suggesting that he was beaten.
Defendant Konneh was sad to have turned over the deceased to defendant Kamara who and some unidentified men who were wearing masks and were there waiting for the deceased and co-defendant (Konneh).
After the deceased family noticed that he had gone missing, they along with other residents decided to search for him, and it was how his lifeless body was found in the lagoon with some of his body parts was extracted. –
