[2015] KEHC 299 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution's evidence, including eyewitness testimony and medical reports, sufficiently implicated both accused persons in the assault that led to the deceased's death. The neighbour's direct observation of the 1st accused striking the deceased with a piece of firewood while the 2nd accused...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEHC 299 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Defendant: David Mwangi Mungai; Defendant: Beatrice Nyagaki Mungai
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Commercial Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 77 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Prima Facie Case After Close of Prosecution Case
- Outcome
- Accused persons put on their defence.
- Legal Topics
- Murder, Prima Facie Case, Criminal Procedure, Burden of Proof
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
David Mwangi Mungai
Defendant
Beatrice Nyagaki Mungai
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Prima Facie Case After Close of Prosecution Case
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused persons to warrant putting them on their defence.
- 2 Whether the evidence adduced links the accused persons to the death of the deceased.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution's evidence, including eyewitness testimony and medical reports, sufficiently implicated both accused persons in the assault that led to the deceased's death. The neighbour's direct observation of the 1st accused striking the deceased with a piece of firewood while the 2nd accused restrained him, corroborated by medical evidence of fatal head injuries, established a prima facie case. Accordingly, the court ruled that both accused persons must be put on their defence as required by law, having been informed of their rights under section 306(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Court Disposition
Accused persons put on their defence.
Orders
- Both accused persons are put on their defence under section 306(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
- Accused persons informed of their rights to adduce evidence and call witnesses in their defence.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
23 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 77 OF 2013
REPUBLIC………………………………………………………………PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
DAVID MWANGI MUNGAI………………………….…………………1ST ACCUSED
BEATRICE NYAGAKI MUNGAI………………………………………2ND ACCUSED
RULING
Both accused persons, David Mwangi Mungai and Beatrice Nyagaki Mungai, are jointly charged with the murder of Patrick Muiga Gathimba contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code. The offence is alleged to have been committed on 20th June 2013 at Ndenderu Village within Kiambu County. Each accused person has denied the offence.
I took over the conduct of this case after evidence of five (5) prosecution witnesses had taken by Hon. Lady Justice Florence Muchemi. The former judge ceased to have jurisdiction in this matter upon her transfer. I took evidence of three (3) prosecution witnesses.
I have considered the evidence in support of the prosecution case. It alleges that the deceased was assaulted by the two accused persons before the court on 20th June 2013 and sustained injuries on the head and the pelvic region. He was hospitalized but died on 26th June 2013, six days later, while undergoing treatment. The cause of death has been confirmed as severe head injury due to blunt force head trauma due to assault.
The evidence of Lucy Wahu (PW5) a neighbour of the accused persons shows that on 20th June 2013 she heard shouts in Kikuyu language coming from the compound of the two accused persons who lived 20 – 30 metres from PW5’s home to the effect that “What have you come to steal from my compound”. PW5 went outside her house and saw the 1st accused hitting the deceased with a piece of firewood while the 2nd accused was holding the deceased. PW5 knew the two accused persons and the deceased.
I have also considered the evidence of the other prosecution witnesses. The injuries were caused by a blunt object and the opinion of the doctor is that the cause of death was due to head injuries. This evidence agrees with that of the other witnesses especially PW2 and PW3 that the deceased had a head injury.
At this stage of the trial it is my finding that the evidence on record implicates the two accused persons. I find that the evidence establishes a prima facie case against the accused persons and I will, which I hereby do, put them on their defence. Consequently, I hereby inform them of their rights under section 306 (2) Criminal Procedure Code to inform this court the manner in wish they intend to adduce evidence in their defence and whether they wish to call any witnesses in support of their defence. Orders shall issue accordingly.
Dated, signed and delivered this 7th December 2015.
S. N. MUTUKU
JUDGE
In the presence of:
Ms Florence Ikol for the prosecution
Mr. Wamwayi for the 1st accused
Mr. Jumba for the 2nd accused
Mr. David Mwangi Mungai and Ms Beatrice Nyagake Mungai, accused persons
Mr. Daniel Ngumbi, court clerk