The Second Judicial Circuit Court in Grand Bassa County has sentenced an 18-year old man identified as Alvin T. Teah to five years in prison for causing the death of his friend Francis Forkpah Sumo.
Teah was charged with manslaughter. He was sentenced after he admitted to the crime in open court, saying, “I killed my friend, the devil fooled me.’’ The indictment was read to him by the clerk of the court, Emmanuel D. Quergar.
The incident occurred on April 13 in the Old Barrack Community in Buchanan when Teah “recklessly and criminally caused the death of Sumo after hitting him with his fist during a quarrel.”
The indictment indicated that Teah and Sumo went to play a popular computer/video game ‘Play Station’ when both of them began to quarrel which later led to a bitter argument and an exchange of insults.
Teah became angry and later accused one of Sumo’s brothers of insulting him and began to beat on him, at which time Sumo tried to stop him.
The indictment quoted Teah telling his friend that, “You were the one I was looking for.’’ He struck Sumo on the nose and neck and Sumo fell to the ground unconscious.
He was immediately rushed to the government hospital in Buchanan where he was later pronounced dead.
The indictment said Teah’s action was criminal in nature and in violation of provisions of the Penal Laws of Liberia.
