Liberia Defense Chief Accused of Slaying

The Liberian defense minister, his wife and seven other people have been accused of slaying a young policeman and using his heart and other organs in black magic rituals.

The case against Maj. Gen. Gray Allison, his wife, Angeline, and the others was outlined in a three-page statement issued Friday by the justice minister of this West African nation, Jenkins Scott. The beheaded body of the victim, patrolman Melvin Pyne, was found in April on a railroad track near the general’s home.

Allison is under house arrest, and his wife is said to be in detention and cooperating with authorities. Scott said all would be formally charged with murder, with the defense minister to be tried on an unspecified date before a court-martial.