Murder of Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie
| Murder of Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie | |
|---|---|
| Location | Joppatowne, Maryland, USA |
| Date | May 25, 2012 |
Attack type | Murder, cannibalization |
| Weapons | Axe |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Perpetrator | 1 |
| Verdict | Guilty but not criminally responsible |
| Charges | First-degree murder |
| Judge | Stephen Waldron |
The murder of Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie, an exchange student from Ghana, was carried out by Alexander Kinyua, in Joppatowne, Maryland, United States. Kinyua ate Agyei-Kodie's organs in an act of cannibalism.[1][2] The killing came after Kinyua was released on bail following a separate brutal attack.[3]
Background
[edit]Kinyua was on born October 23, 1990, in Nairobi, Kenya. Kinyua emigrated from Kenya to the United States as a child, and became a U.S. citizen. At the time of the alleged murder and cannibalism, 21-year-old Kinyua was an engineering student at Morgan State University, a university in nearby Baltimore. His father is a professor at the school.[4]
Kinyua had posted nonsensical and bizarre writings on his Facebook page. For example, Kinyua posted the following in all capital letters, two days before the arrest:
Hear me out butchers: are you strong enough to endure ritual HBCU mass human sacrifices around the country and still be able to function as human beings? It's been all too tragic with the dual university shootings at Virginia Tech, and other past university killings across the country. Now for a twist: ethnic cleansing is the policy, strategy and tactics that will affect you, directly or indirectly in the coming months. This is the brutal basis, an evil & terrifying method of this death cults.[4]
Kinyua's mother posted on her Facebook:
Our son, Alexander Kimanthi Kinyua, was arrested on Saturday, May 19, for being involved in a fight in his dormitory room at Morgan State University. The charge against him is "1st Degree Assault and Excessive Endangerment of Life". His bail has been set for US $220,000.00. In order to get him the best defense possible, we need to secure an attorney who will take his case and leave no stone unturned.[5]
Murder
[edit]Agyei-Kodie was staying with the Kinyua family, pending deportation to his home country of Ghana, due to non-compliance with the terms of his visa. He had first met Antony Kinyua, the father of his alleged killer, while pursuing a doctoral degree at Morgan State University. On Friday, May 25, 2012, Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie was reported missing by Kinyua's father.[6][7]
Police reported to the Kinyua residence on May 31 after being contacted by Kinyua's brother, to report what looked like body parts in two tins in the basement. Further remains were found outside a church, about a mile away. Alexander Kinyua was arrested and charged with first degree murder, along with first and second degree assault.[6]
Aftermath
[edit]Morgan State established a chief public safety officer position in the wake of the killing.[8]
Kinyua was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia,[9][10] and was found incompetent to stand trial.[11]
Kinyua has been indefinitely committed to a Maryland mental institution.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Maryland alleged cannibal Maryland student, 21, admits eating housemate's heart, part of brain June 1, 2012 CNN
- ^ Alexander Kinyua, 21, arrested for murder, eating body parts, Maryland police say May 31, 2012 CBS News
- ^ Sarah Brumfield Lawyer: Prior bat attack foreshadowed cannibalism June 5 Associated Press (Columbus Dispatch)
- ^ a b Fenton, Justin (May 31, 2012). "Morgan student Alex Kinyua charged in dismemberment of man left disturbing online trail". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
- ^ "Alexander Kinyua, accused Md. cannibal, was on bail for another assault prior to his arrest, reports say – Crimesider". CBS News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
- ^ a b Fenton, Justin; Bawroski, Kayla; Rector, Kevin (May 23, 2012). "Cannibalism alleged in killing of Ghanian former master's degree student". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
- ^ "Alexander Kinyua, Maryland Man Who Allegedly Ate Kujoe Agyei-Kodie, First Ranted on Facebook". Huffington Post. June 1, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
- ^ Scott Dance Morgan State police chief takes new public safety post Wiggins promoted two months after student accused of cannibalism July 28, 2012 The Baltimore Sun
- ^ Justin George; Kevin Rector (December 19, 2012). "Kinyua guilty but not criminally responsible in Morgan beating". The Baltimore Sun.
- ^ "Prosecutor says he can't prove alleged cannibal criminally responsible". UPI.
- ^ Fenton, Justin; Vought, Allan (August 16, 2012). "Md. man accused in cannibal case deemed incompetent to stand trial". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
- ^ "Trial For Md. Man Accused Of Cannibalism Postponed". June 24, 2013.