[2018] KEHC 4237 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution had adduced overwhelming evidence through eight witnesses, including direct admissions by the accused, corroborated by the chief and other witnesses, medical evidence, and photographic documentation of the crime scene and the exhumed body. The accused was shown to have led...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 4237 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Republic; Respondent: Henry Kasyoki Ndunda
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Makueni
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 54 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Trial / Ruling on Case to Answer After Close of Prosecution Case
- Outcome
- accused found to have a case to answer; ordered to be put on his defence
- Judges
- CM Kariuki
- Legal Topics
- Murder, Prima Facie Case, Burden of Proof, Criminal Procedure
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Appellant
Henry Kasyoki Ndunda
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Trial / Ruling on Case to Answer After Close of Prosecution Case
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case to require the accused to be put on his defence.
- 2 Whether the evidence adduced by the prosecution meets the threshold for a case to answer under Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution had adduced overwhelming evidence through eight witnesses, including direct admissions by the accused, corroborated by the chief and other witnesses, medical evidence, and photographic documentation of the crime scene and the exhumed body. The accused was shown to have led witnesses to the burial site and admitted to the killing in a cautionary statement. The cumulative effect of this evidence established a prima facie case sufficient to require the accused to be put on his defence under the applicable legal standards for murder trials in Kenya.
Court Disposition
accused found to have a case to answer; ordered to be put on his defence
Orders
- The accused is hereby ordered to be put on his defence.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
29 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT MAKUENI
HCCR. NO. 54 OF 2017
REPUBLIC.........................................................APPELLANT
-VERSUS-
HENRY KASYOKI NDUNDA......................RESPONDENT
RULING
INTRODUCTION
1. This case is for ruling on whether the accused has a case to answer after prosecution closed its case having called (8) eight prosecution witnesses.
2. In the case of Bhate –Vs- Republic EALR 1957 P.332on page 3, the court held that;
“The onus is on prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and prima facie case is not made out if, at the close of prosecution case, the case is merely one which on full consideration might possibly be thought sufficient to sustain a conviction. A mere scintilla of evidence can never be enough: nor can any amount of worthless discredited evidence.”
3. In the instant case the accused faces a charge of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 Cap 63 Penal code.
4. Particulars being that between 16/09/2008, and 10/10/2008 at Kithangaini village Ikalyoni Sub-location, Makueni district, Eastern Province murdered Sammy Maithya Ndunda.
5. The accused pleaded not guilty and matter went to full trial.
6. The prosecution called eight witnesses including the investigating officer, Doctor and scene of the crime officer who produced photographs.
7. PW1 narrated how the accused showed them in presence of chief the place he had buried his brother deceased herein after he killed him.
8. This was corroborated by PW2 who was local chief. Also PW4 witnessed the same.
9. PW5 was a doctor who observed on a skull of the recovered decomposed body of the deceased.
10. PW6 heard accused say that he killed the deceased.
11. PW7 was the investigating officer. He supervised the exhumation of the deceased body where accused showed he had buried him. PW7 took cautionary statement in which the accused admitted killing his brother and buried him.
12. PW8 was scene officer who produced photographs in which the recovered body and scene of burial was captured inter alia.
13. Both the prosecution and defense did not submit at this stage but relied on the evidence on record.
14. After going through the evidences on record, I find there is overwhelming evidence in establishment of a prima facie case which requires the accused to be put on his defense.
15. Thus the court orders that the accused to be put on his defence.
SIGNED, DATED AND DELIVERED THIS 25TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2018, IN OPEN COURT.
.......................
C. KARIUKI
JUDGE