[2017] KEHC 9505 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution, through the evidence of PW1 and PW2, had established a prima facie case against the accused. The court emphasized that at this stage, it is not required to determine whether the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, but only whether there is sufficient...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEHC 9505 (KLR)
- Parties
- Respondent: Republic; Defendant: Elizabeth Mugoywa
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 15 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Case to Answer After Close of Prosecution Case
- Outcome
- Accused placed on her defence; prosecution established a prima facie case.
- Judges
- J Wakiaga
- Legal Topics
- Murder, Prima Facie Case, Burden of Proof, Manslaughter, Provocation
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Respondent
Elizabeth Mugoywa
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Case to Answer After Close of Prosecution Case
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused to warrant her being placed on her defence.
- 2 Whether the evidence presented supports a charge of murder or a lesser offence such as manslaughter due to provocation.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution, through the evidence of PW1 and PW2, had established a prima facie case against the accused. The court emphasized that at this stage, it is not required to determine whether the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, but only whether there is sufficient evidence to require the accused to make a defence. The court was satisfied that such a case had been made out and accordingly placed the accused on her defence, advising her of her rights under Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Court Disposition
Accused placed on her defence; prosecution established a prima facie case.
Orders
- The accused is placed on her defence.
- The accused is advised of her rights under Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
MILIMANI LAW COURTS
CRIMINAL DIVISION
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 15 OF 2015
REPUBLIC.........................................................RESPONDENT
VERSUS
ELIZABETH MUGOYWA........................................ACCUSED
RULING
1. The accused ELIZABETH MUGOYWA was charged with the offence of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code the particulars of which were that on the 24th day of January, 2015 at Tassia Mabatini Estate within Nairobi County murdered CHRISTINE WANYAMA.
2. She pleaded not guilty to the said charges and to prove its case, the prosecution called a total of six (6) witnesses and at the close of the prosecution case parties were invited to make submissions as to whether the State had established a prima facie case to enable the court place the accused on her defence.
SUBMISSIONS
3. On behalf of the prosecution it was submitted that the prosecution had established a prima facie case through the evidence of PW1 and PW2 while on behalf of the defence it was submitted that the offence was committed under the heat of passion caused by sudden provocation and therefore the accused can only be found guilty of manslaughter.
4. At this stage, the issue is not whether or not the prosecution has established a case against the accused person beyond reasonable doubt but whether a case has been made to justify calling upon the accused person to offer an explanation as was stated in the case of REPUBLIC v JAGJIVAN M. PATEL & Others (1) TLR as follows:-
“All the court has to decide at the close of the evidence in support of the charge is whether a case is made out against the accused just sufficiently to require him to make a defence, it may be a strong case or a weak case. The court is not required at this stage to apply its mind in deciding finally whether the evidence is worthy of credit or whether if believed it is weighty enough to prove the case conclusively beyond reasonable doubt. A ruling that there is a case to answer would be justified in my opinion in a border line case where the court, though not satisfied as to the conclusiveness of the prosecution evidence, is yet of the opinion that the case made out is one which on full consideration might possibly be thought sufficient to sustain a conviction.”
5. From the evidence tendered by the prosecution and in particular the evidence of PW1 and PW2 and without saying much thereon I am satisfied and find that the prosecution has established a prima facie case to enable the court place the accused on her defence which I hereby do. The accused is advised on her rights vide Section 306 of Criminal Procedure Code.
DATED, DELIVERED and SIGNED at Nairobi this 4thday of October, 2017.
.......................
J. WAKIAGA
JUDGE
In the presence of:-
Mrs. Kinoti for the State
Mr. Memusi for the accused
Accused present
Tabitha court clerk