The Liberia National Police (LNP) has charged student Jovanus O. Turay, who recently killed his colleague, Precious Ireland, and his mother, Josia M. Saah, for the crime of negligent homicide.
According to police charge sheet, the two individuals were in violation of Chapter 14 Section 14.3, Chapter 14 Section 14.23 and Chapter 17 Section 11 of the Penal Code of the Republic of Liberia.
The investigation by LNP stated that Turay was charged for recklessly and negligently collecting a Taurus G2C-99MM Pistol from his biological mother’s bedroom in SKD Boulevard, Paynesville, secretly putting it into his book bag and taking it along with him to his school campus, where he discharged the firearm.
According to the investigation, while the firearm was on defendant Turay’s side, victim Precious Ireland cautioned him to remove the firearm form his side so that it will not hurt or damage her because it is a real gun. Not listening to the victim’s advise, Turay removed the firearm from his right side and immediately removed the magazine, and a few minutes later placed the magazine back, at which time Ireland and another person, Mathew P. Gonkerwon, were listening to music. The firearm discharged and dropped from Turay’s hand to the floor.
The investigation revealed that Turay immediately collected the firearm from the floor and placed it into his bag, and took his jacket and placed it around the victim’s neck, while Mathew ran out of the class for fear for his life.
Due to the heavy sound in the school building, the teachers, securities, students and administrators got concerned as to what made the sound. While instructors were still searching in the sound’s direction, Tony Taylor, instructor, identified the room (#107) where Ireland lied unconscious, blood oozing from her neck and right shoulder. He immediately took the victim down stairs into a car along with other instructors and drove her to the SOS Hospital, Congo Town, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
In view of the circumstances, coupled with evidence adduced as well as witnesses’ testimonies, the investigation charged defendant Jovanus O. Turay with the crime of negligent homicide and forwarded him to court for prosecution. Meanwhile, Turay and his mother, Josia M. Saah, who was also charged for keeping the firearm, have been sent to the Monrovia Central Prison awaiting court trial.