Crime & Safety
'I Kill Demons,' Murder Suspect Tells Police
A Pennsylvania man taken to Germantown to pray with a pastor in an effort to rid him of voices is charged with killing the pastor.
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A Pennsylvania man reportedly told police, “I kill demons” as they took him into custody on charges of killing a Germantown pastor who had prayed with him to battle voices.
Montgomery County Police have arrested Roland Zinneh, 38, of Florence Avenue in Darby, PA, for the Wednesday homicide of Connery Dagadu, 57. Zinneh has been charged with first-degree murder.
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Police were called to a house in the 19400 block of St. Johnsbury Lane in Germantown after the homeowner heard noise from the basement. When the resident went downstairs she found Dagadu unresponsive on the floor and called 9-1-1.
Zinneh was allegedly combative and prevented emergency responders from tending to Dagadu. Fire and Rescue then called police for assistance.
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When officers arrived, they say Zinneh was pacing back and forth and jumping up and down in the home’s doorway. After a brief struggle with police, Zinneh was taken into custody and began to yell, “Demons!” “I kill demons!”
Despite life-saving efforts by Fire and Rescue personnel, Dagadu was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say Zinneh had been dropped off at the residence on Tuesday night. Dagadu, a pastor, was asked to “pray over” Zinneh and help him with his “voices,” police say.
Zinneh was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
During police questioning, Zinneh said he fought with Dagadu, who he believed was possessed by “demons.”
An autopsy conducted by the Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the manner of Dagadu’s death was homicide by asphyxiation.
Zinneh is being held without bond at the Montgomery County Detention Center.
»Photo of Roland Zinneh, 38, of Darby, PA, courtesy of Montgomery County Police Department
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