GERMANTOWN, Md. (AP) — Police say a Pennsylvania man who was hearing voices in his head killed a pastor because he thought the clergyman was possessed by demons.
Roland Zinneh, 38, went to a home Tuesday night where Connery Dagadu was renting a room. He asked the pastor to help pray with him about the voices he was hearing, police said. The next morning, the owner of the home, heard a commotion and found Dagadu on the basement floor unresponsive, police said.
When officers arrived, they saw Zinneh at the front door jumping and pacing. He retreated into the home when they approached and broke a window with his hands. After a struggle, Zinneh was taken into custody and began yelling: “Demons! I kill demons!” according to police
Zinneh, of Darby, Pennsylvania, was charged with first-degree murder in the asphyxiation of Dagadu, 57, of Germantown. It wasn’t clear exactly how Dagadu was killed.
Police spokeswoman Cpl. Rebecca Innocenti said Dagadu was pastor of World Impacting Center, which he operated out of the rented basement.
Court records do not list an attorney for Zinneh.
He was taken to a hospital for treatment, and is now being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center.
During questioning, police said Zinneh told them he fought with Dagadu.