Girlfriend killer waives testimony

Defendant Sylvester Tarpeh Davies has waived testimony in his ongoing prosecution at Criminal Court “A” for murdering his 23 years old girlfriend, the late Sonnie Tipayson, in her father’s house last November.

The victim was, according to the indictment, four months pregnant when defendant Davies killed her, in addition to a kid she and the accused had during their three years relationship.

He pleaded guilty to the indictment in open court on Monday, February 23, 2015; and prosecutors have since produced and rested with documentary and oral evidences, including the victim’s father, Mr. Eric Tipayson and two police investigators.

“At this stage of the trial, defendant informs court that he wishes to enjoy his constitutional right to keep silent and submits its side of the case to argument and respectfully submits,” defendant Davies’ counsel said on Wednesday, February 25, 2015.

The Criminal Court “A” granted the defense’s quest to remain silent on grounds that it was a constitutional right of the defendant.

Final argument in the case is set for Monday, February 27, 2015 at 9:30 a.m., prosecution having announced they have rested evidence in the case.

Officers Jerry Wymah and Moses K. Williams have testified in the case, during which the court and jury heard how the accused murdered his girlfriend after he failed to settle his relationship with her.

The head of the Forensic Division of the Liberia National Police Mr. Williams, said forensic investigation showed that the victim was killed and stocked in a barrel.

The deceased’s father Mr. Tipayson said, he found his daughter’s lifeless body stocked in a barrel in which he kept his clothes in his room, following days of searching for her in the community upon being told that she had been attacked by defendant Davies.

Mr. Tipayson said he found her body in the barrel, while trying to get his clothes out to press and go to a wedding ceremony. At the time he said, the body had already [developed] a [decaying] scent that he thought was a dead rat.

“The barrel was in the corner in the dark area. I said let me haul it to the light. I hauled the barrel to the light, took off the Ghana Must Go bag. When I took off the Ghana Must Go bag, what I saw was my daughter turned upside down,” Mr. Tipayson narrated.

By Winston W. Parley