My heart goes out to the mother of this little boy, who lost custody when he was just five.
As the second wife of PIERRE COLLINS reported abuse, it's a near certainty the mother experienced it as well.
http://www.startribune.com/pierre-collins-to-plead-guilty-in-murder-of-his-10-year-old-son-barway/320476792/
Pierre Collins admits killing 10-year-old son, is sentenced to 40 years in prison
Barway’s dad, who had denied involvement, draws 40-year sentence.
By Karen Zamora Star Tribune
August 3, 2015 — 9:01pm
Hours before 10-year-old Barway Collins was reported missing, his enraged father punched him until he was unconscious, duct-taped his body and threw him into the Mississippi River.
“I killed my son,” Pierre Collins said Monday in Hennepin County District Court, describing his actions on March 18 outside their Crystal apartment building after the boy had been dropped off by his school van. “I hit him and he fell.”
#After months of insisting that he had nothing to do with the boy’s disappearance and death, Collins, 33, pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder before a packed and emotional courtroom. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Barway Collins’ body was found in a stretch of the river in the north metro on April 11. His death, the almost-two-week search for his body and the charges against his father have been a confusing, wrenching experience for the Twin Cities’ large Liberian-American community. Monday’s plea negates the need for a trial that had been set for January.
Collins, who originally had faced first-degree murder charges, was given a longer sentence than is called for by state guidelines because Barway was vulnerable and because hiding his body was particularly cruel, said Hennepin County Judge Tanya Bransford.
His “actions caused great pain … to the whole community,” she said. “It is unimaginable that a parent would kill their own child.”
Collins’ confession of how he became angry with his son, beat him, then dumped him into the river drew gasps and cries from courtroom observers, including Yamah Collins, Barway’s stepmother; Louise Karluah, Barway’s birth mother, who traveled from Liberia after his death, and Pierre Collins’ former wife, Jennifer Beaver, the mother of four of his children.
All three women took care of Barway at some point. Karluah and relatives cared for him in Liberia before he was sent at age 5 to the United States to join his father, who had emigrated. Beaver cared for Barway during her marriage to Collins, but was unable to get custody of him when they divorced. She is the mother of two children with Collins, who also adopted her two children from a previous relationship. Yamah, Collins’ current wife, the mother of two other children, cared for Barway most recently.
At one point, Karluah fell from her chair in shock and grief. She later was escorted into a hallway before returning to make an unplanned victim-impact statement. She was unable to speak clearly, so a friend, Victoria Peabody, took the stand to say they are both “broken and lost.”
“I went to Mr. Collins’ house and prayed with him,” Peabody said. “I just feel so dirty because I held his hand. … Louise is so lost.”
Karluah said she forgives Collins and is relieved that he pleaded guilty. She said that if Collins hadn’t wanted their son, he should have sent him back to his native Liberia. “It’s not right. Not feeling good right now. … I’ve been praying for justice,” Karluah said. “Barway is a very special child to me.”
Yamah Collins and Beaver separately embraced Karluah before and after the hearing.
Beaver, who has alleged that Collins abused her and their children, said she cannot forgive him.
“Just hearing him say that he murdered my son — how could you do that?” Beaver said after the hearing. “So you mean to tell me you beat him so bad and you duct-taped him and threw him in the water like nothing?”
#Yamah Collins, who had stood by Pierre’s side since Barway’s disappearance, shook her head and walked away when asked if she would continue to support him.
‘We found justice for Barway’
In confessing to Barway’s murder, Collins told the judge that he became angry with the boy when he misbehaved as he played outside after arriving home from school. “I was really mad at him,” Collins said. “I hit him … he fell. He wasn’t responding, so I took him to the water. … I intended to kill my son.”
Collins said he was fearful because he knew he would be in trouble, so he taped the boy’s arms and legs and threw him into the river in an attempt to hide the body.
He also asked for sympathy, saying, “I want everybody in the community to forgive me.” But afterward, some of his family members said they were dismayed that it took him so long to tell the truth and disappointed by the plea deal.
County Attorney Mike Freeman said after the hearing that Barway’s body remained underwater until he was found 26 days later by volunteer searchers. Authorities have not been able to establish an exact cause of death.
The guilty plea brings “some justice for Barway’s family,” Freeman said.
“The last thing we know that Barway Collins said is, ‘There’s my dad,’ ” Freeman said, referring to video footage of Barway taken in his school van. “And he said it in a voice of being excited to see the person he loved. He’s gone. None of us can explain or comprehend how a father could kill his son. We don’t know exactly what happened … [but] there’s some justice for Barway’s family and for little Barway, as well.”
Crystal Police Chief Stephanie Revering, who joined Freeman at the news conference, said Monday was the “culmination of our search for justice for Barway Collins.” Crystal police, with help from other agencies, searched for the boy for weeks “hoping to bring him home safe, but knowing that someone close to him was likely responsible for his disappearance,” she said.
#“We can never bring him back,” Revering said. “But today we can finally close this case knowing that we found justice for Barway.”
Showing posts with label Liberia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Liberia. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Custodial dad charged in death of 10-year-old son had previous record of abusing children (Hennepin County, Minnesota)
CPS just loves abuser daddies. Even though they (somewhat reluctantly) helped his current wife protect her kids, they left his son, the one he had from a previous marriage, in Daddy's care.
Dad is identified as BARWAY COLLINS.
http://www.startribune.com/barway-collins-father-had-been-accused-of-abusing-4-of-his-other-children-records-show/308033971/
Barway Collins' father had been accused of abusing his other children, records show
Records show that he had mistreated children from a previous marriage.
By Karen Zamora Star Tribune June 18, 2015 — 9:22am
Well before 10-year-old Barway Collins was reported missing, then found dead, Hennepin County child protection services had found his father responsible for mistreating four of his other children.
Yet Barway remained in Pierre Collins’ care.
Two years ago, the father of six children had been ordered to stay away from four of them after they claimed he’d touched them in a sexual way and beat them, Hennepin County child protection reports show.
The documents offer little to no information about Barway, who was living with his father during and after the abuse.
Hennepin County now is in the process of terminating Collins’ parental rights to his youngest child, a 1-year-old boy he had with Yamah Collins, his current wife. Barway was living with Pierre, Yamah, the 1-year-old and another child Yamah had before meeting Pierre when he disappeared March 18 after being dropped off after school in front of their Crystal apartment. His body was found April 11 in the Mississippi River. Pierre Collins, 33, has been charged with killing Barway.
Rex Holzemer, assistant Hennepin County administrator of human services, said Wednesday that the county is legally obligated to file a petition to terminate parental rights “in any case where there’s egregious harm.”
“Bottom line is the reason we are filing [the petition] is because ultimately of the alleged murder of Barway,” Holzemer said. “So we got a requirement to go in and file that on the other kids, frankly, regardless of whether there had been abuse or not in the past.”
Collins’ ex-wife, Jennifer Beaver, told the Star Tribune in April that their “wonderful” relationship turned into a messy divorce after Collins physically or sexually abused her and their four children.
Collins had twins with Beaver and adopted her two oldest children. The six had been living together for some time before Barway, then 5, traveled from his native Liberia in 2011 to join his father, who had arrived around 2003.
In early 2013, one of Beaver’s children alleged that Collins had touched and kissed her in a sexual way, and another said Collins had beaten him, Hennepin County records show. A child protection investigation was opened.
Beaver applied for and was granted a restraining order, and Hennepin County found Collins responsible for “maltreatment” of the two children, records show. Beaver also reported the abuse to police. The county attorney’s office investigated, but found insufficient evidence for a criminal charge.
During that time, Beaver said Collins physically abused her and was rough with all the children, most of all with Barway, whom he spanked with a belt, she said. “He would literally whip him. … We fought so much about it. He told me to stay in my place, [that Barway] wasn’t my kid,” she said in April.
In August 2013, Hennepin County also investigated allegations that Collins had sexually abused a third child of Beaver’s, and he was ordered to “remain out of the home,” records show
The judge handling Collins’ case appointed a guardian ad litem charged with representing the best interests of the children, then, citing the guardian’s report, granted Beaver sole legal and physical custody of the four children. Beaver said she inquired about getting custody of Barway, but was told she had no legal rights to the boy, whose birth mother lived in Liberia.
The judge also ordered Collins to complete a “sexual boundaries education program” before seeking supervised parenting time and to pay $650 a month in child support for the four children.
By June 2013, the couple had filed for divorce. In November, the county closed its case with “services in place,” documents show.
“Our staff felt that the kids were safe, and we closed the case because Pierre was out of the picture,” Holzemer said. “Well, he comes back into the picture without us knowing, and that’s what makes it so difficult in these cases.
“If a family member agrees to protect their children and keep a perpetrator out of the picture and they have met their case plans, we close because children at that point seem to be safe. And you bring the perpetrator back in the picture and we don’t find out about it, significantly bad things can happen to kids during that period of time.
“As we all know, that domestic abuse cycle sometimes perpetuates itself, and unfortunately kids sometimes get caught in the middle of that. That’s a significant piece of the story here.”
In June 2014, Beaver returned “the abused children to [Collins] and left the state,” records say. Hennepin County referred the case to Chisago County, where Beaver had been living with the children, according to the case summary. Eventually the children went back to Beaver.
By that time, Collins was living with Yamah, Barway and the two younger children. He asked to modify his child support, and the court agreed to suspend the payments. When the case returned to Hennepin County court — early on the very day Barway went missing — the judge ordered Collins to find a job and to start paying more than $600 a month in child support.
The day Collins was arrested, a finding of maltreatment was made against him regarding his youngest child. Records say Collins “threatened physical and sexual abuse” of the 1-year-old son. The subsequent investigation found that Yamah’s two children, including the 1-year-old, “appeared to be healthy, clean and well-groomed,” and that there were “no safety concerns with the children” remaining with their mother.
In April, Collins declined to participate in an interview with child protection investigators but said, “I had nothing to do with [Barway’s disappearance]. I love my children. I would never hurt my children.”
His next court appearance is set for July 7.
Dad is identified as BARWAY COLLINS.
http://www.startribune.com/barway-collins-father-had-been-accused-of-abusing-4-of-his-other-children-records-show/308033971/
Barway Collins' father had been accused of abusing his other children, records show
Records show that he had mistreated children from a previous marriage.
By Karen Zamora Star Tribune June 18, 2015 — 9:22am
Well before 10-year-old Barway Collins was reported missing, then found dead, Hennepin County child protection services had found his father responsible for mistreating four of his other children.
Yet Barway remained in Pierre Collins’ care.
Two years ago, the father of six children had been ordered to stay away from four of them after they claimed he’d touched them in a sexual way and beat them, Hennepin County child protection reports show.
The documents offer little to no information about Barway, who was living with his father during and after the abuse.
Hennepin County now is in the process of terminating Collins’ parental rights to his youngest child, a 1-year-old boy he had with Yamah Collins, his current wife. Barway was living with Pierre, Yamah, the 1-year-old and another child Yamah had before meeting Pierre when he disappeared March 18 after being dropped off after school in front of their Crystal apartment. His body was found April 11 in the Mississippi River. Pierre Collins, 33, has been charged with killing Barway.
Rex Holzemer, assistant Hennepin County administrator of human services, said Wednesday that the county is legally obligated to file a petition to terminate parental rights “in any case where there’s egregious harm.”
“Bottom line is the reason we are filing [the petition] is because ultimately of the alleged murder of Barway,” Holzemer said. “So we got a requirement to go in and file that on the other kids, frankly, regardless of whether there had been abuse or not in the past.”
Collins’ ex-wife, Jennifer Beaver, told the Star Tribune in April that their “wonderful” relationship turned into a messy divorce after Collins physically or sexually abused her and their four children.
Collins had twins with Beaver and adopted her two oldest children. The six had been living together for some time before Barway, then 5, traveled from his native Liberia in 2011 to join his father, who had arrived around 2003.
In early 2013, one of Beaver’s children alleged that Collins had touched and kissed her in a sexual way, and another said Collins had beaten him, Hennepin County records show. A child protection investigation was opened.
Beaver applied for and was granted a restraining order, and Hennepin County found Collins responsible for “maltreatment” of the two children, records show. Beaver also reported the abuse to police. The county attorney’s office investigated, but found insufficient evidence for a criminal charge.
During that time, Beaver said Collins physically abused her and was rough with all the children, most of all with Barway, whom he spanked with a belt, she said. “He would literally whip him. … We fought so much about it. He told me to stay in my place, [that Barway] wasn’t my kid,” she said in April.
In August 2013, Hennepin County also investigated allegations that Collins had sexually abused a third child of Beaver’s, and he was ordered to “remain out of the home,” records show
The judge handling Collins’ case appointed a guardian ad litem charged with representing the best interests of the children, then, citing the guardian’s report, granted Beaver sole legal and physical custody of the four children. Beaver said she inquired about getting custody of Barway, but was told she had no legal rights to the boy, whose birth mother lived in Liberia.
The judge also ordered Collins to complete a “sexual boundaries education program” before seeking supervised parenting time and to pay $650 a month in child support for the four children.
By June 2013, the couple had filed for divorce. In November, the county closed its case with “services in place,” documents show.
“Our staff felt that the kids were safe, and we closed the case because Pierre was out of the picture,” Holzemer said. “Well, he comes back into the picture without us knowing, and that’s what makes it so difficult in these cases.
“If a family member agrees to protect their children and keep a perpetrator out of the picture and they have met their case plans, we close because children at that point seem to be safe. And you bring the perpetrator back in the picture and we don’t find out about it, significantly bad things can happen to kids during that period of time.
“As we all know, that domestic abuse cycle sometimes perpetuates itself, and unfortunately kids sometimes get caught in the middle of that. That’s a significant piece of the story here.”
In June 2014, Beaver returned “the abused children to [Collins] and left the state,” records say. Hennepin County referred the case to Chisago County, where Beaver had been living with the children, according to the case summary. Eventually the children went back to Beaver.
By that time, Collins was living with Yamah, Barway and the two younger children. He asked to modify his child support, and the court agreed to suspend the payments. When the case returned to Hennepin County court — early on the very day Barway went missing — the judge ordered Collins to find a job and to start paying more than $600 a month in child support.
The day Collins was arrested, a finding of maltreatment was made against him regarding his youngest child. Records say Collins “threatened physical and sexual abuse” of the 1-year-old son. The subsequent investigation found that Yamah’s two children, including the 1-year-old, “appeared to be healthy, clean and well-groomed,” and that there were “no safety concerns with the children” remaining with their mother.
In April, Collins declined to participate in an interview with child protection investigators but said, “I had nothing to do with [Barway’s disappearance]. I love my children. I would never hurt my children.”
His next court appearance is set for July 7.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Drunk dad charged with manslaughter for abandoning 2-year-old son in hot car (Phoenix, Arizona)
Dad is identified as JAMES KORYOR.
http://uptownmagazine.com/2015/04/father-charged-abandoning-toddler-hot-car/
Father Charged In Death of Toddler Abandoned in Hot Car
Posted by Angela Wilson on Apr 23, 2015
UPTOWN
A Phoenix, Arizona father was arrested for manslaughter and child abuse when he abandoned his 2-year-old son in a hot car where the toddler later died.
James Koryor, 41, was taken into custody Tuesday when officials discovered he ran to the liquor store with his toddler, bought a bottle of gin, drank it on the way home and fell asleep inside his house.
The child, identified as Alpha Koryor, was left behind in the car. Detectives found signs that he had desperately struggled to escape the vehicle, which didn’t have any car seats, before dying in 90 degree temperatures.
Koryor was supposed to take his 2-year-old boy, along with his 5-year-old son, to get haircuts. The older son either got out of the vehicle by himself or was taken inside by his father, police spokesman Sgt. Trent Crump said. Family members asked where his little brother was, and he said the child was asleep, Crump said.
The mother was inside the home, studying, before finding her son’s body around 4 p.m., when she went to drive to class. Neighbors said they heard weeping and wailing from the family’s driveway.
Koryor sobbed uncontrollably in court when bond was set at $50,000. Prosecutors requested an increased bail, considering Koryor a flight risk, due to Koryor’s strong ties to the Ivory Coast, Liberia and Ghana.
http://uptownmagazine.com/2015/04/father-charged-abandoning-toddler-hot-car/
Father Charged In Death of Toddler Abandoned in Hot Car
Posted by Angela Wilson on Apr 23, 2015
UPTOWN
A Phoenix, Arizona father was arrested for manslaughter and child abuse when he abandoned his 2-year-old son in a hot car where the toddler later died.
James Koryor, 41, was taken into custody Tuesday when officials discovered he ran to the liquor store with his toddler, bought a bottle of gin, drank it on the way home and fell asleep inside his house.
The child, identified as Alpha Koryor, was left behind in the car. Detectives found signs that he had desperately struggled to escape the vehicle, which didn’t have any car seats, before dying in 90 degree temperatures.
Koryor was supposed to take his 2-year-old boy, along with his 5-year-old son, to get haircuts. The older son either got out of the vehicle by himself or was taken inside by his father, police spokesman Sgt. Trent Crump said. Family members asked where his little brother was, and he said the child was asleep, Crump said.
The mother was inside the home, studying, before finding her son’s body around 4 p.m., when she went to drive to class. Neighbors said they heard weeping and wailing from the family’s driveway.
Koryor sobbed uncontrollably in court when bond was set at $50,000. Prosecutors requested an increased bail, considering Koryor a flight risk, due to Koryor’s strong ties to the Ivory Coast, Liberia and Ghana.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Custodial dad charged with probable cause 2nd-degree homicide in murder of 10-year-old son; non-custodial mom in state of "disbelief" (Crystal, Minnesota)
Finally it is revealed that this little boy indeed had a real mother--referred to here (rather condescendingly) as a "biological mother." And that her name was Louise.
My heart goes out to you, Louise. And to all the mothers who lose their children to abusive fathers.
Dad is identified as PIERRE COLLINS.
http://www.kare11.com/story/news/crime/2015/04/13/barway-collins-father-arrested/25719947/
Barway Collins' father, Pierre Collins, arrested
Campaign to bring Barway's Mother to MN
KARE 11 Staff, Lou Raguse and Karla Hult, KARE 12:02 a.m. EDT April 14, 2015
CRYSTAL, Minn. - Authorities have taken Barway Collins' father into custody from his residence in Crystal.
Crystal Police confirmed early Monday afternoon that Pierre Collins was arrested on probable cause second degree homicide. He was transported from his apartment to the Crystal Jail then to Hennepin County Jail. Investigators will work with Hennepin County prosecutors to prepare formal charges.
According to the County Attorney's Office, charges will come no sooner than Tuesday afternoon. They must charge Collins by Wednesday at noon or release him.
At a press conference on Sunday, Crystal Police Chief Stephanie Revering said Pierre Collins is their primary suspect in the case.
Pierre has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirmed the body found in the Mississippi River Saturday afternoon was that of Barway Collins. The 10-year-old boy had been missing for nearly four weeks.
For some members of Twin Cities Liberian community, the arrest was a relief.
"I have never supported him," said Horace Gbanoe. "It was obvious. The little boy said, "That's my dad and my uncle." Those two were the last to see him."
Horace Gbanoe is referring to the video of Barway Collins on his school van just before he disappeared.
Pierre Collins has insisted he never saw Barway that afternoon and had nothing to do with his disappearance.
Crystal Police have said all along that he's lying. And that they have electronic evidence placing him near the spot Barway's body was found -- back on the day he disappeared.
Finally, 20 days after first calling Pierre a suspect, they arrested him.
"This is very strange for our community, that a father is being arrested for the death of his son. That is heartbreaking," said Magdalene Menyongar.
Many Liberian-Americans like Menyongar refused to believe a father in their community could do such a thing.
Larry Thomas wants everyone to know this tragedy affects many people beyond the Liberian community.
"Everybody is taking this personal. Especially people with kids," Thomas said. "This name is in everybody's household right now."
But perhaps no one's household more so than Liberian community members who now are calling for Justice for Barway.
"If he's the one who killed this boy, I believe in the justice system in America. He will be held accountable," Menyongar said.
"The full weight of the law to be applied, as quickly as possible," Gbanoe said.
Meantime, members of the Liberian Ministers Association of Minnesota say they're trying to help Barway's biological mother -- Louise Karluah -- travel from Liberia to attend Barway's funeral.
"We will see how much we can raise to help Louise come over," said Rev. Alexander Collins, executive director of the association.
"She's in disbelief. Trying to make sense out of all of this," he added.
Friends at Barway's school -- Evergreen Park World Cultures Community School -- understand.
"Everyone is grieving, staff, students, families. And so we are here to support all of them," said school principal, Sheryl Ray, adding that 15 extra staff members -- many of them social workers -- were on hand Monday to assist students.
She described Barway as: "[he] always had a great smile. He enjoyed what he was doing. He had many friends."
"[We will] grieve for some time. But hopefully find strength, too, in the memories that they do have," she said.
My heart goes out to you, Louise. And to all the mothers who lose their children to abusive fathers.
Dad is identified as PIERRE COLLINS.
http://www.kare11.com/story/news/crime/2015/04/13/barway-collins-father-arrested/25719947/
Barway Collins' father, Pierre Collins, arrested
Campaign to bring Barway's Mother to MN
KARE 11 Staff, Lou Raguse and Karla Hult, KARE 12:02 a.m. EDT April 14, 2015
CRYSTAL, Minn. - Authorities have taken Barway Collins' father into custody from his residence in Crystal.
Crystal Police confirmed early Monday afternoon that Pierre Collins was arrested on probable cause second degree homicide. He was transported from his apartment to the Crystal Jail then to Hennepin County Jail. Investigators will work with Hennepin County prosecutors to prepare formal charges.
According to the County Attorney's Office, charges will come no sooner than Tuesday afternoon. They must charge Collins by Wednesday at noon or release him.
At a press conference on Sunday, Crystal Police Chief Stephanie Revering said Pierre Collins is their primary suspect in the case.
Pierre has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirmed the body found in the Mississippi River Saturday afternoon was that of Barway Collins. The 10-year-old boy had been missing for nearly four weeks.
For some members of Twin Cities Liberian community, the arrest was a relief.
"I have never supported him," said Horace Gbanoe. "It was obvious. The little boy said, "That's my dad and my uncle." Those two were the last to see him."
Horace Gbanoe is referring to the video of Barway Collins on his school van just before he disappeared.
Pierre Collins has insisted he never saw Barway that afternoon and had nothing to do with his disappearance.
Crystal Police have said all along that he's lying. And that they have electronic evidence placing him near the spot Barway's body was found -- back on the day he disappeared.
Finally, 20 days after first calling Pierre a suspect, they arrested him.
"This is very strange for our community, that a father is being arrested for the death of his son. That is heartbreaking," said Magdalene Menyongar.
Many Liberian-Americans like Menyongar refused to believe a father in their community could do such a thing.
Larry Thomas wants everyone to know this tragedy affects many people beyond the Liberian community.
"Everybody is taking this personal. Especially people with kids," Thomas said. "This name is in everybody's household right now."
But perhaps no one's household more so than Liberian community members who now are calling for Justice for Barway.
"If he's the one who killed this boy, I believe in the justice system in America. He will be held accountable," Menyongar said.
"The full weight of the law to be applied, as quickly as possible," Gbanoe said.
Meantime, members of the Liberian Ministers Association of Minnesota say they're trying to help Barway's biological mother -- Louise Karluah -- travel from Liberia to attend Barway's funeral.
"We will see how much we can raise to help Louise come over," said Rev. Alexander Collins, executive director of the association.
"She's in disbelief. Trying to make sense out of all of this," he added.
Friends at Barway's school -- Evergreen Park World Cultures Community School -- understand.
"Everyone is grieving, staff, students, families. And so we are here to support all of them," said school principal, Sheryl Ray, adding that 15 extra staff members -- many of them social workers -- were on hand Monday to assist students.
She described Barway as: "[he] always had a great smile. He enjoyed what he was doing. He had many friends."
"[We will] grieve for some time. But hopefully find strength, too, in the memories that they do have," she said.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Dad found guilty of raping daughter over 8 years (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Dad is identified as SUMO DUKULAH.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20140403_Former_Philadelphia_schoolteacher_guilty_of_raping_his_daughter.html
Former Philadelphia schoolteacher guilty of raping his daughter
MENSAH M. DEAN, Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: Thursday, April 3, 2014, 12:16 AM
JUST 3 1/2 HOURS into its first full day of deliberations, a Philadelphia jury convicted a former public-school teacher yesterday of raping his daughter over an eight-year span.
Sumo Dukulah, 40, showed no reaction when the jury foreman announced "guilty" to all the charges Dukulah faced: rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, rape of a child, child endangerment and corruption of a minor.
Dukulah, who taught at L.P. Hill Elementary School in Strawberry Mansion when he was arrested last April, faces a mandatory minimum of 10 to 20 years in state prison when he is sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Gwendolyn Bright on Aug. 29.
He also faces the possibility of receiving a maximum sentence of 64 to 128 years, Assistant District Attorney Branwen McNabb said.
Dukulah did not testify during his four-day trial in Common Pleas Court. But his daughter and accuser, now 17, testified over two days, telling the jury in graphic detail how her father had sexually assaulted her in every imaginable way from age 8 to 16.
"She showed tremendous strength and courage standing up for herself against the most heinous act that anyone can commit against a child," McNabb said after leaving court.
The girl endured years of assaults without telling authorities, McNabb said, because her mother would not help her and her father threatened that if she told anyone, he would send her back to the family's native country, Liberia, in West Africa.
Dukulah, who had no prior criminal record and was portrayed in court by character witnesses as a churchgoing family man who tutored parishioners, is being held without bail.
Defense attorney Michael T. van der Veen argued that Dukulah was not guilty and that his daughter had told a series of lies about him.
"We're disappointed in the verdict. I believe my client was truly innocent," said van der Veen, who added he plans to appeal.
Dukulah, who immigrated to the U.S. from Liberia in 2006, began teaching in the School District of Philadelphia in November 2011. He and his wife have no other children, van der Veen said.
At the time Dukulah was arrested, Capt. John Darby of the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit said there was no evidence that his criminal behavior carried over to the school where he worked.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20140403_Former_Philadelphia_schoolteacher_guilty_of_raping_his_daughter.html
Former Philadelphia schoolteacher guilty of raping his daughter
MENSAH M. DEAN, Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: Thursday, April 3, 2014, 12:16 AM
JUST 3 1/2 HOURS into its first full day of deliberations, a Philadelphia jury convicted a former public-school teacher yesterday of raping his daughter over an eight-year span.
Sumo Dukulah, 40, showed no reaction when the jury foreman announced "guilty" to all the charges Dukulah faced: rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, rape of a child, child endangerment and corruption of a minor.
Dukulah, who taught at L.P. Hill Elementary School in Strawberry Mansion when he was arrested last April, faces a mandatory minimum of 10 to 20 years in state prison when he is sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Gwendolyn Bright on Aug. 29.
He also faces the possibility of receiving a maximum sentence of 64 to 128 years, Assistant District Attorney Branwen McNabb said.
Dukulah did not testify during his four-day trial in Common Pleas Court. But his daughter and accuser, now 17, testified over two days, telling the jury in graphic detail how her father had sexually assaulted her in every imaginable way from age 8 to 16.
"She showed tremendous strength and courage standing up for herself against the most heinous act that anyone can commit against a child," McNabb said after leaving court.
The girl endured years of assaults without telling authorities, McNabb said, because her mother would not help her and her father threatened that if she told anyone, he would send her back to the family's native country, Liberia, in West Africa.
Dukulah, who had no prior criminal record and was portrayed in court by character witnesses as a churchgoing family man who tutored parishioners, is being held without bail.
Defense attorney Michael T. van der Veen argued that Dukulah was not guilty and that his daughter had told a series of lies about him.
"We're disappointed in the verdict. I believe my client was truly innocent," said van der Veen, who added he plans to appeal.
Dukulah, who immigrated to the U.S. from Liberia in 2006, began teaching in the School District of Philadelphia in November 2011. He and his wife have no other children, van der Veen said.
At the time Dukulah was arrested, Capt. John Darby of the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit said there was no evidence that his criminal behavior carried over to the school where he worked.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Dad gets life sentence for murder of 9-month-old son (Zorzor, Liberia)
- Dad JERRY MULBAH has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his 9-month-old son. Like many of these cases--whether in the U.S. or elsewhere--Dad had a history of abuse against the baby's mother. When the mother left him, Dad made a great pretense of a reconcilation. But it was just a pretense. His real motive was to hurt/punish the mother in the worst possible way--by murdering her child.
http://theinquirer.com.lr/story.php?record_id=3032&sub=14
Father Sentenced To Life Imprisonment...For Son's Murder In Lofa County
“I am looking up to the government for justice but as to the death of my only son, I'm innocent,” convict Jerry Mulbah cried out at the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Lofa following a unanimous 'guilty' judgment by Judge Emmanuel Kollie. Judge Kollie last Thursday upheld, confirmed and affirmed unanimous jury verdict of guilty against defendant Mulbah who is accused of murdering his only son, Amos Mulbah in Zorzor. However, defense has except to the court's judgment and announced an appeal to the Supreme Court sitting in its October term. According to the case history, defendant Mulbah had been allegedly cruel to his fiancée Nyemah Dukulu who lived with him on Amos Yancy Farm in Bong Mines for three years. It was based on his alleged maltreatment that she left with their son for Lofa County on June 24, 2010.
In her testimony, Nyemah told the court and jury that Jerry followed them to Zorzor on June 25, 2010 where he apologized and she accepted him again but on June 28, 2010, defendant Mulbah allegedly stole his nine-month old child while asleep at night. The court's records state that in witnesses' testimonies it was alleged that Nyemah upon noticing that her child was not arond, began a search only to find her child dead with his neck fractured or broken.
The prosecution evidences included a medical report from Curran Lutheran Hospital in Zorzor; a 15-member corona juror report; photograph of the deceased when he was found dead on one of the rubber farms along the highway. With Jury nowhere to be found, investigators began their work and according to the records, the defendant was arrested on July 25 in Bong County. On August 12, 2010 his indictment was drawn and read to him on August 13, 2010 to which he answered not guilty.
The state produced three witnesses and defense produced only the defendant. It was observed that at some points of the defense witness' testimony, the State gave notice to the court to produce rebuttal witnesses but did not introduce any during the trial of the case. Prosecution was represented by the county attorney Luther J. Sumo while the defendant was represented by Tobey J. Raynes and R. Koryon Bolay. Following the jury's verdict, defense immediately filed for retrial.
The defense counsels' four count motion for retrial contained that the verdict be denied because there was no proof that defendant Mulbah murdered little Amos. Defense argued that the jurors did not follow the judge's charge to them regarding the laws of contradiction and failure to rebut.
Defense argued that the private prosecutor's testimony varied and contradicted that of the CID officer with regards to that of the others residing in the house as to whether the defendant supported his child and fiancée. It further contended that the verdict is completely contrary to the weight of the evidence. In the defendant's plea of an alibi requested the court for a subpoena but was never issued nor did the State exert any effort to prove that the defendant was present at the time of the crime of murder as required by law.
However, citing the new judiciary law Section 20:11(2), prosecution said the motion should be dismissed and denied because little Amos was murdered willingly and intentionally. It further said that the verdict was in no way contrary to the weight of the evidences because the movant was accorded the due process. Having listened to the court, Defendant Mulbah prayed that the law takes alternative so that he too can understand how his only son died.
Meanwhile, presently, the Voinjama Central Prison which lies in a deplorable condition has a record of 29 at large inmates while 10 who were already sentenced are also at large due to the February 26, 2010 incident. The prison compound with just one building that houses six criminal cell divisions, a charge of quarter and a superintendent's office suffer from leakages during the rains and it is very dark due to lack of electricity.
Already there are a total of 48 inmates consisting of 38 males, two females and four juveniles. The prison is opened to insecurity as it is not fenced in and visitors go there without regarding the visiting hours.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Liberian teenager pleads guilty in rape case (Phoenix, Arizona)
You may remember us reporting on this case a few months ago. It involves the 8-year-old girl who was gang-raped--who was then "allegedly" rejected by her father (who is unnamed here) for bringing "shame" on the family. Here's the latest update: one of the teenagers accused in the attack has pleaded guilty to rape.
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/30/2644879/liberian-teen-pleads-guilty-in.html
Liberian teenager pleads guilty in rape case
The Associated Press The Sacramento Bee
Published: Tuesday, Mar. 30, 2010 - 7:13 pm
Last Modified: Tuesday, Mar. 30, 2010 - 7:58 pm
PHOENIX -- A teenage Liberian refugee charged in the gang-rape of an 8-year-old girl in Phoenix last summer pleaded guilty in the case Tuesday, authorities said.
Maricopa County prosecutors said the 15-year-old boy, who was transferred from adult court to juvenile court last week, pleaded guilty to sexual assault, kidnapping, three counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor. He will remain in detention until an April 27 hearing.
The Associated Press is not naming the teen because of his age. He was 14 at the time of the July assault and had been the only one of four boys charged as an adult. All the children involved are refugees from the war-torn West African nation of Liberia.
Prosecutors said the girl was lured July 16 to an empty storage shed at a west Phoenix apartment complex with the promise of chewing gum. The oldest boy admitted holding the victim down while he and three other boys - ages 9, 10 and 13 - sexually assaulted the girl, according to authorities.
Defense attorneys for the 15-year-old said the boy most likely will be sent to a residential treatment center with 24-hour supervision for a year or more. Prosecutors said he could have faced more than 25 years in prison if convicted as an adult in the case.
Authorities said juveniles are not given fixed prison sentences, and instead are constantly evaluated on whether they should be released, maintained in treatment facilities or sent to a juvenile corrections facility. When they turn 18, they age out of the system and must be released, although the boy still could be forced to register as a sex offender until he turns 25.
The youngest of the boys accused in the case already has been deemed incompetent to stand trial. His charges were dropped, but he remains in foster care. The other two boys still are charged in juvenile court and are taking lessons designed to make them competent to stand trial.
The case prompted an international outcry after police reported the girl's father said she brought shame on the family and he didn't want her back - comments a family pastor later said were misunderstood because of a language barrier.
State child welfare officials have custody of the girl. Her 59-year-old father and 47-year-old mother were each charged in November with eight child abuse counts for abuse and neglect reports dating back to 2005.
Liberians worldwide are watching the case, and many are concerned about how they will be perceived because of the attack. Rape was a common practice during the country's 14 years of civil war, but Liberia now has some of the strictest laws against the crime in all of Africa.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/30/2644879/liberian-teen-pleads-guilty-in.html#ixzz0jlnYwKlQ
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/30/2644879/liberian-teen-pleads-guilty-in.html
Liberian teenager pleads guilty in rape case
The Associated Press The Sacramento Bee
Published: Tuesday, Mar. 30, 2010 - 7:13 pm
Last Modified: Tuesday, Mar. 30, 2010 - 7:58 pm
PHOENIX -- A teenage Liberian refugee charged in the gang-rape of an 8-year-old girl in Phoenix last summer pleaded guilty in the case Tuesday, authorities said.
Maricopa County prosecutors said the 15-year-old boy, who was transferred from adult court to juvenile court last week, pleaded guilty to sexual assault, kidnapping, three counts of sexual conduct with a minor and one count of attempted sexual conduct with a minor. He will remain in detention until an April 27 hearing.
The Associated Press is not naming the teen because of his age. He was 14 at the time of the July assault and had been the only one of four boys charged as an adult. All the children involved are refugees from the war-torn West African nation of Liberia.
Prosecutors said the girl was lured July 16 to an empty storage shed at a west Phoenix apartment complex with the promise of chewing gum. The oldest boy admitted holding the victim down while he and three other boys - ages 9, 10 and 13 - sexually assaulted the girl, according to authorities.
Defense attorneys for the 15-year-old said the boy most likely will be sent to a residential treatment center with 24-hour supervision for a year or more. Prosecutors said he could have faced more than 25 years in prison if convicted as an adult in the case.
Authorities said juveniles are not given fixed prison sentences, and instead are constantly evaluated on whether they should be released, maintained in treatment facilities or sent to a juvenile corrections facility. When they turn 18, they age out of the system and must be released, although the boy still could be forced to register as a sex offender until he turns 25.
The youngest of the boys accused in the case already has been deemed incompetent to stand trial. His charges were dropped, but he remains in foster care. The other two boys still are charged in juvenile court and are taking lessons designed to make them competent to stand trial.
The case prompted an international outcry after police reported the girl's father said she brought shame on the family and he didn't want her back - comments a family pastor later said were misunderstood because of a language barrier.
State child welfare officials have custody of the girl. Her 59-year-old father and 47-year-old mother were each charged in November with eight child abuse counts for abuse and neglect reports dating back to 2005.
Liberians worldwide are watching the case, and many are concerned about how they will be perceived because of the attack. Rape was a common practice during the country's 14 years of civil war, but Liberia now has some of the strictest laws against the crime in all of Africa.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/30/2644879/liberian-teen-pleads-guilty-in.html#ixzz0jlnYwKlQ
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Dad accused of raping 8-year-old daughter (Monroe, Liberia)
Dad PETER MOORE has been accused of raping his 8-year-old daughter. The girl was threatened with death if she told anyone, and has a multitude of urgent medical problems that had not been met.
http://theinquirer.com.lr/story.php?record_id=2422&sub=14
MAC Rescues 8yr. Old Rape Victim
The local Media Child Rights Advocacy group, the Media in Advocacy for Children (MAC) has turned over to the women Aid International an eight-year old rape victim for protection and medical purpose.MAC said it turned over the child to the Women Aid International with the involvement of Don Bosco Homes and the Liberian National Police (LNP). The Media Child Rights Advocacy group said it discovered the raped victim following a tip off. MAC in a Press statement issued in Monrovia yesterday quoted the child as saying that she was raped by her biological father indentified as Peter Moore, who she said threatened to kill her if she dared tell anyone about the act. The Media in Advocacy for Children in its statement said the 'child rape victim' has developed swollen stomach and needs urgent medical attention.The child, the group said, revealed that she was sexually abused by her father on five separate occasions, but could not tell anyone because of fear.
The alleged father 'rapist', Peter Moore, according to MAC, has stopped sleeping home or is sneaking in at late hours and leaving early to evade arrest and embarrassment in the community. According to the statement, MAC has reiterated that more children risk being raped unless individuals who sexually abuse children are harshly punished. The Child rights Advocacy group is meanwhile asking the Liberia National Police and other relevant institutions to do all they can to ensure that Mr. Moore, the alleged rapist is arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.
http://theinquirer.com.lr/story.php?record_id=2422&sub=14
MAC Rescues 8yr. Old Rape Victim
The local Media Child Rights Advocacy group, the Media in Advocacy for Children (MAC) has turned over to the women Aid International an eight-year old rape victim for protection and medical purpose.MAC said it turned over the child to the Women Aid International with the involvement of Don Bosco Homes and the Liberian National Police (LNP). The Media Child Rights Advocacy group said it discovered the raped victim following a tip off. MAC in a Press statement issued in Monrovia yesterday quoted the child as saying that she was raped by her biological father indentified as Peter Moore, who she said threatened to kill her if she dared tell anyone about the act. The Media in Advocacy for Children in its statement said the 'child rape victim' has developed swollen stomach and needs urgent medical attention.The child, the group said, revealed that she was sexually abused by her father on five separate occasions, but could not tell anyone because of fear.
The alleged father 'rapist', Peter Moore, according to MAC, has stopped sleeping home or is sneaking in at late hours and leaving early to evade arrest and embarrassment in the community. According to the statement, MAC has reiterated that more children risk being raped unless individuals who sexually abuse children are harshly punished. The Child rights Advocacy group is meanwhile asking the Liberia National Police and other relevant institutions to do all they can to ensure that Mr. Moore, the alleged rapist is arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Custodial dad tries to sell 7-year-old son (Monrovia, Liberia)
Custodial dad HENRY FLOMO has been arrested for trying to sell his 7-year-old son for around $750. The boy's mother is apparently dead, and Dad thought that selling the boy would allow him to raise some capital for a new business.
http://www.liberianobserver.com/node/2969
Man Attempts to Sell Son for L$50,000
Publication Date: November 16, 2009 - 11:22am
Updated: November 16, 2009 - 10:00pm
By: Stephen Binda
MONROVIA – Police in Monrovia have arrested a 61-year-old man for allegedly attempting to sell his seven-year-old son for L$50,000 (~US$746).
Henry Flomo, a resident of the Red-light Community in Paynesville, was arrested Saturday on Ashmun Street, Monrovia.
Flomo allegedly told a resident of Ashmun Street, who posed as a buyer of the child, that he (Flomo) was selling his son as a result of severe economic hardship he was undergoing.
Speaking to the Daily Observer Saturday, the “buyer,” who only identified himself as Andrew, said that a few days ago,Flomo had informed him about his plans to sell his son.
According to Andrew, Flomo complained that the child was giving him serious problems and had refused to go to school.
Andrew further quoted Flomo as saying during their discussion that he was tired of suffering and needed money to do business in order to improve his living condition.
Flomo, who is believed to be the father of six children, according to Andrew, further told the latter that the child was being sold for L$50,000.
Andrew further quoted Flomo as telling him that a portion of the money would be used to transport the child from his (suspect Flomo’s) Red Light-Paynesville residence to his (Andrew’s) Ashmun Street home.
Andrew said he agreed to pay a reduced price of L$30,000 instead of the initial LD$50,000, after which he said he prevailed on the suspect to accompany him to Red Light to get the child.
Andrew further told the Daily Observer that upon their departure for Red Light, he secretly invited a police officer, who posed as his (Andrew’s) relative, to accompany him to Flomo’s Red Light residence to get his merchandize.
“When we got to Red Light,” Andrew told the Daily Observer, “Flomo requested the L$30,000 payment.”
However, Andrew added, he told the suspect to entice the child with L$20 to come with the suspect and that he (Andrew) was prepared to pay the L$30,000 at his Ashmun Street residence, where the money was.
“I gave him L$20 to go for the child. After ten minutes, Flomo returned with a little boy, whom he called Abel,” Andrew said.
It was at that point that they headed for central Monrovia where he (Andrew) had promised to pay the amount.
Andrew added that upon their arrival at his residence on Ashmun Street, they entered his room along with the little child, where he asked Flomo his reason for selling the child.
In the room, Andrew said, Flomo reiterated that his decision was based on the economic hardship he was faced with in the country.
Following the suspect’s statement in the presence of the disguised police officer, he (Flomo) was immediately arrested, Andrew told the Daily Observer.
Andrew further informed this paper that he recorded the discussions he held with suspect Flomo relative his plan to sell his son.
Following his arrest, Flomo categorically refuted Andrew’s claims that he was selling his son. Flomo contended that he only appealed to Andrew for assistance as he (Flomo) was poverty-stricken.
Flomo told the Daily Observer that he only complained to Andrew about his family’s poverty and that the latter had told him to come to his house along with his son for a bag of rice. Flomo said Andrew did not deliver the bag of rice to him as he had earlier promised.
“I was only seeking assistance and not trying to sell my son. I have six living children and I love all of them. So why will I want to do such a thing?” Flomo told the Daily Observer Saturday as he was being led away in handcuffs.
Asked what his relation to Andrew was before asking him for assistance, Flomo said he had known him for over two years in the Red Light community.
Further asked by this reporter about the whereabouts of his son Abel’s mother, Flomo informed the Daily Observer that the child’s mother was in Red Light community; but little Abel strongly refuted his father’s assertion.
The child told the Observer that his biological mother was dead. “My ma died,” little Abel said as he looked on innocently.
Asked whether he knew Flomo, Abel replied, “Yes, he is my Pa.”
Abel lamented that since his mother’s death he has been living with his father Flomo and his wife.
Abel also confirmed that he was not in school because his father had not registered him at any school.
Meanwhile, police spokesman George Bardue has confirmed Flomo’s arrest and detention in police custody. Bardue said the suspect was undergoing further police investigation.
http://www.liberianobserver.com/node/2969
Man Attempts to Sell Son for L$50,000
Publication Date: November 16, 2009 - 11:22am
Updated: November 16, 2009 - 10:00pm
By: Stephen Binda
MONROVIA – Police in Monrovia have arrested a 61-year-old man for allegedly attempting to sell his seven-year-old son for L$50,000 (~US$746).
Henry Flomo, a resident of the Red-light Community in Paynesville, was arrested Saturday on Ashmun Street, Monrovia.
Flomo allegedly told a resident of Ashmun Street, who posed as a buyer of the child, that he (Flomo) was selling his son as a result of severe economic hardship he was undergoing.
Speaking to the Daily Observer Saturday, the “buyer,” who only identified himself as Andrew, said that a few days ago,Flomo had informed him about his plans to sell his son.
According to Andrew, Flomo complained that the child was giving him serious problems and had refused to go to school.
Andrew further quoted Flomo as saying during their discussion that he was tired of suffering and needed money to do business in order to improve his living condition.
Flomo, who is believed to be the father of six children, according to Andrew, further told the latter that the child was being sold for L$50,000.
Andrew further quoted Flomo as telling him that a portion of the money would be used to transport the child from his (suspect Flomo’s) Red Light-Paynesville residence to his (Andrew’s) Ashmun Street home.
Andrew said he agreed to pay a reduced price of L$30,000 instead of the initial LD$50,000, after which he said he prevailed on the suspect to accompany him to Red Light to get the child.
Andrew further told the Daily Observer that upon their departure for Red Light, he secretly invited a police officer, who posed as his (Andrew’s) relative, to accompany him to Flomo’s Red Light residence to get his merchandize.
“When we got to Red Light,” Andrew told the Daily Observer, “Flomo requested the L$30,000 payment.”
However, Andrew added, he told the suspect to entice the child with L$20 to come with the suspect and that he (Andrew) was prepared to pay the L$30,000 at his Ashmun Street residence, where the money was.
“I gave him L$20 to go for the child. After ten minutes, Flomo returned with a little boy, whom he called Abel,” Andrew said.
It was at that point that they headed for central Monrovia where he (Andrew) had promised to pay the amount.
Andrew added that upon their arrival at his residence on Ashmun Street, they entered his room along with the little child, where he asked Flomo his reason for selling the child.
In the room, Andrew said, Flomo reiterated that his decision was based on the economic hardship he was faced with in the country.
Following the suspect’s statement in the presence of the disguised police officer, he (Flomo) was immediately arrested, Andrew told the Daily Observer.
Andrew further informed this paper that he recorded the discussions he held with suspect Flomo relative his plan to sell his son.
Following his arrest, Flomo categorically refuted Andrew’s claims that he was selling his son. Flomo contended that he only appealed to Andrew for assistance as he (Flomo) was poverty-stricken.
Flomo told the Daily Observer that he only complained to Andrew about his family’s poverty and that the latter had told him to come to his house along with his son for a bag of rice. Flomo said Andrew did not deliver the bag of rice to him as he had earlier promised.
“I was only seeking assistance and not trying to sell my son. I have six living children and I love all of them. So why will I want to do such a thing?” Flomo told the Daily Observer Saturday as he was being led away in handcuffs.
Asked what his relation to Andrew was before asking him for assistance, Flomo said he had known him for over two years in the Red Light community.
Further asked by this reporter about the whereabouts of his son Abel’s mother, Flomo informed the Daily Observer that the child’s mother was in Red Light community; but little Abel strongly refuted his father’s assertion.
The child told the Observer that his biological mother was dead. “My ma died,” little Abel said as he looked on innocently.
Asked whether he knew Flomo, Abel replied, “Yes, he is my Pa.”
Abel lamented that since his mother’s death he has been living with his father Flomo and his wife.
Abel also confirmed that he was not in school because his father had not registered him at any school.
Meanwhile, police spokesman George Bardue has confirmed Flomo’s arrest and detention in police custody. Bardue said the suspect was undergoing further police investigation.
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