CLA Test 12: Murder

First Part of CLA (Reading)

Patrol Report:

At 21:40 hours on September 19, 2008, Ms. Patricia Lopez called LNP station # 2 and informed them about gunshots being fired at her farmhouse, located at 14 Bomi Hills, at Grid Reference 284645 on the outskirt of Monrovia. The caller further stated that at 2125 hours she heard her dog barking loudly and went out to probe into the matter. Once outside she could the silhouette of a male person standing near her melon field. She cautiously approached the man. As she got closer she saw that there  were six other people standing near him. She heard a gunshot and one of the figures fell to the ground, presumably dead. She said she straight away turned in the opposite direction and headed back to her house, when she heard 2 more gunshots. She looked back and saw a second person fall down, presumably dead.

Situation 1:

On receiving the information, the OIC of LNP station # 2 immediately dispatched a patrol team consisting of 3 armed police personnel, a medical officer and a driver. The patrol team, under the command of  Officer Enrique Holmes, reached the crime scene after 30 minutes. On arrival officer Enrique observed a group of people gathered near a melon field. As they approached the crowd, they could see two bodies soaked  in blood lying on the ground. They quickly approached the crowd and dispersed it. They then took a good look at the victims and observed that a woman and a man both shot in the head with a .32-calibre pistol were presumably dead. The man was shot twice-once under the right eye and another over the right temple, while the woman was shot over her right ear. The bullet entered the woman's head over her right ear aand exited through the back of her neck.

Situation 2:

The woman was identified as Susana  Miller, The wife of James Miller. They lived at 75 Leopold Street in Monrovia. She was wearing a blue dress with white polka dots, black silk stockings, and brown shoes. She had worn a blue velvet hat that was on the ground near her body, and her brown scarf was wrapped around her throat. Her arm had a bruise, and there was a tiny cut on her lip. It was learn that James Miller, General Manager of Monrovia State Bank is in Geneva, Switzerland on training. He had left Monrovia in March 2008 for 1 year training. During his absence Susana often seduced other males and had immoral relationship with them.

 Situation 3:

The man was identified as Charles Edward, a businessman. Edward was living at 98 Bordello Avenue in Monrovia at the time of the murder. His hat covered his face, which concealed the gunshot wound to his head. He wore a pair of  glasses. There was a small bruise on the tip of his ear, and his left little finger and right index leg. His watch and a diamond ring were missing, but large amount of cash in his pockets and valuables in his persons were found. Police ruled out robbery as the motive.

Situation 4:

The corpses of the victims were sent to St. Elizabeth Hospital for post mortem Examination. The doctors extracted 2 bullets cartridges from the head bodies and sent them to the forensic lab for examination.
In the meantime, forensic team consisting of 1 finger print expert, 1 situation analyst and three LP arrived at the scene 20 minutes after the police patrol team's arrival. They collected 4 empty bullet cartridges of .32 calibers, a hunting knife and blood stained ropes from the scene. A little later the LP handed over 2 pistol-one a Glock 17 and the other a Beretta to the forensic team. They had found the murder weapons in the bushes near the melon field. All impounded items were taken to the forensic lab for further scrutiny.

First Part of CLA ( Reading)

Question Paper - Murder

1. Where was James Miller when his wife was murdered?

 Ans: In Geneva, Switzerland.

2. At what time did the police team reach the scene of the accident>

 Ans: At 2210 hours.

3. How many gun shots did the witness hear?

 Ans: 3 (Three)

4. Why robbery was ruled out as a motive to the crime?

 Ans: Because large amount of cash in his pockets and valuables in his person were found.

5. How many bullet cartridges were sent to the forensic department for examination?

 Ans: 6 (six).

6. At what time did the forensic team reach the scene of the incident?

Ans: At 2230 hours.

7. What was wrapped around one of the victim's throat?

Ans: The brown silk scarf of the victim.

8. Where did the incident take place?

Ans: At Ms. Patricia Lopez's farmhouse, located at 14 Bomi Hills, at Grid Reference 287645 on the outskirt of Monrovia.

9. Why was the gunshot wound on Edward not visible at first?

Ans: Because his hat concealed the gunshot wound to his head.

10. What were impounded from the scene?

Ans: 4 empty bullet cartridges of .32 calibers, a hunting knife and blood stained ropes and 2 pistol- (Glock 17 and Beretta)

Second Part of CLA (Report Writing)

Narrative

Note: Audio script will be uploaded soon.

At 0600 hours on September 20, 2008, Robert Burns, who was scheduled to fly to Geneva by the 0830 hours flight, was detained by the immigration officers at Monrovia Airport Detention Center. At 0700 hours forensic experts took his fingerprints in order to verify his identity. An hour later, reports indicated that his fingerprint matched those of  Mr. James Miller. He was immediately handed over to the investigating officer of the murder squad. Upon questioning Mr. James Miller stated that when he was on training in Geneva he had heard rumors of his wife's wanton life. He returned to Monrovia from Geneva on 15th September with  a Chadian passport in the name of Robert Burns to spy on his wife. He soon found out that his wife was having illicit relationship with Charles Edward a businessman and decided to kill them both. He hired 4 criminals to abduct the pair and bring them to the secluded melon field in Bomi Hills. He shot them both from point-blank range ensuring their instant death. He had previously arranged his flight for next morning
Police are on the hunt for his accomplices.

Dialogue

Simons, I hear you have apprehend the murderer in the Susana Miller - Charles Edward case.

Yes, Catherine. It was just a stroke of bad luck on the perpetrator that helped me solve the case so fast.

Interesting, do tell me what really happened?

The accused killer returned to Monrovia from Geneva on 15th September with a Chadian passport in the name of Robert Burns to spy on his wife.

Why did he want to do  that ?

Well, when he was on training in Geneva he had heard rumors of his wife's wanton life and wanted to find out the truth.

Did he succeed in that?

He soon found out that his wife was having illicit relationship with Charles Edward a businessman.

What did he do then?

He decided to kill them both and as such hired 4 criminals to abduct the pair and bring them to the secluded melon field in Bomi Hills. There he shot them both.

How could apprehend him?

On September 20, 2008, he was scheduled to fly to  Geneva by the 0830 hours flight but his travel documents were found to be faked. He was then detained at the Monrovia Airport Detention Center. Forensic experts were informed to examine his fingerprint and verify his identity.

What did the reports reveal?

By 0800 hours it was known that the man was Mr. James Miller. He was then handed over to me. Upon questioning he confessed to committing the crime. 

Could you also apprehend his accompanies?

Not yet but very soon we will.

Good Luck in your endeavor.

Thank You and bye.

Bye.