News Releases

Homicide in Germantown; Suspect Arrested

For Immediate Release: Friday, March 13, 2015

Major Crimes detectives have arrested Roland Zinneh, age 38, of Florence Avenue in Darby, Pennsylvania, for the March 11 homicide of victim, Connery Dagadu, age 57.  Zinneh has been charged with first-degree murder.

On March 11 at approximately 11:12 a.m., Montgomery County Fire & Rescue personnel responded to a residence in the 19400 block of St. Johnsbury Lane in Germantown for the report of an unconscious male (later identified as victim, Dagadu).  Upon arriving to the home, Fire&Rescue personnel were met by Zinneh.  Zinneh was combative and prevented emergency responders from tending to the unconscious male.  Fire & Rescue then called police for assistance.

When officers arrived to the residence, they observed Zinneh in the front doorway of the home; he was pacing back and forth and jumping up and down.  When approached by officers, Zinneh retreated into the home and broke a basement window with his hands.  After a brief struggle, Zinneh was taken into custody.  Zinneh began to yell, "Demons!" "I kill demons!"  Zinneh was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Despite life-saving efforts by Fire & Rescue personnel, Dagadu was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Major Crimes detectives responded to the scene and determined that Zinneh had been dropped off at the residence on the night of March 10. Dagadu, a pastor, was asked to "pray over" Zinneh and help him with his "voices."  On the morning of March 11, the homeowner heard commotion from the basement and went downstairs.  The homeowner observed Dagadu sitting on the basement floor; he appeared unresponsive.  She then called 9-1-1.

During police questioning, Zinneh stated that on the morning of March 11, he had a physical altercation with Dagadu, who he believed was possessed by "demons."  After the physical altercation, Zinneh stated that Dagadu was unresponsive.

An autopsy conducted by the Medical Examiner's Office determined that the manner of Dagadu's death was homicide by asphyxiation.

Zinneh has been charged with first degree murder and is being held without bond at the Montgomery County Detention Center.

RLI

# # #

Release ID: 15-067
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: uncategorized