By Comfort M. Johnson

MONROVIA July 15 (LINA) – A 39-year-old, purported agent of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has been sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for killing his girlfriend.

Charles Joefula shot and killed his girlfriend, Johnnete Smallwood in the Logan Town Community using a single-barrel shotgun.

Defendant Joefula was incarcerated at the Monrovia Central Prison on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, following investigation.

Handing down the final ruling, the Judge of Criminal Court “B’ Scheaplor R. Dunbar, said the court confirms the jury’s verdict and rules the defendant guilty of murder, possession and sale of physical object for lethal use, following the evidence presented during the trial.

Judge Dunbar stated that the evidence against the defendant was strong, cogent and convincing, pointing out, that the Supreme Court has held that, when the jury arrives at a verdict after having considered evidence which is sufficient to support a verdict, the verdict should not be disturbed.

According to Judge Dunbar, the defendant is not a trained officer to carry arms, but he informed investigators that he bought the single barrel shotgun for his personal use.

Therefore, the Judge cited, the court refuses to accept the defendant’s contention that the jury verdict is contrary to the weight of evidence presented at the trial, noting that “this court affirms and confirms the unanimous verdict returned by the jury.”

A person is guilty of murder if he purposely or knowingly causes the death of another human being or causes the death of another human being under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life 26LCLR, Penal Law.

“This Court says that because the greater crime absorbs the lesser crime under our sentencing system, the defendant is herewith sentenced to imprisonment for the period of 40-years for the murder of Johnette Smallwood,” the judge declared.

According to the verdict, the period of imprisonment for the defendant includes the time already served in pretrial detention.

It can be recalled, that on August 20, 2023, the defendant with the intent to commit a crime, illegally took and concealed a brown and silver single barrel shotgun pistol and went over night at about 11:44 pm on Quiah Street community, Logan Town, Bushrod Island and committed the crime of possession and sale of physical object for lethal use.

When the defendant was arraigned before court, he pleaded not guilty to the crime.

Defendant Joefula is currently incarcerated to serve his 40-years jail term at the Monrovia Central Prison.