[2016] KEHC 2934 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused. Only one witness was called, who did not witness the crime or provide any direct or circumstantial evidence linking the accused to the murder. No medical evidence or post-mortem report was produced to establish the cause...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2016] KEHC 2934 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Defendant: Isaac Kiranga Naichuki
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal 82 of 2011
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on No Case to Answer
- Outcome
- acquittal
- Judges
- JV Juma
- Legal Topics
- Murder Charge, Prima Facie Case, Burden of Proof, Acquittal, Evidence Requirements
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Isaac Kiranga Naichuki
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on No Case to Answer
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the prosecution established a prima facie case against the accused for the charge of murder.
- 2 Whether there was sufficient evidence to link the accused to the death of the deceased.
- 3 Whether suspicion and rumours can form the basis for a conviction in a criminal trial.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused. Only one witness was called, who did not witness the crime or provide any direct or circumstantial evidence linking the accused to the murder. No medical evidence or post-mortem report was produced to establish the cause of death. The allegations against the accused were based solely on suspicion and rumours, which do not amount to evidence. As a result, the court held that there was no case for the accused to answer and acquitted him of the charge of murder.
Court Disposition
acquittal
Orders
- The accused is found not guilty of murder.
- The accused is acquitted and set at liberty unless otherwise lawfully held.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
26 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT NAKURU
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 82 OF 2011
REPUBLIC………………………………….…….PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
ISAAC KIRANGA NAICHUKI..………......…...………..ACCUSED
RULING
The accused ISAAC KIRANGA NAICHUKI faces a charge of MURDER CONTRARY TO SECTION 203 as read with SECTION 204 OF THE PENAL CODE. The particulars of the charge were that
“On 7th day of November, 2011 at Gatero sub-location in Laikipia County murdered MECHALINE MUMBI KIRANGA”
The accused was first arraigned in court on 11th November, 2011 and pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ to the charge. His trial commenced on 11/2/012. The prosecution only called one (1) witness in this case. PW1 JOSEPH MUTINI KIRANGA told the court that the accused was his nephew whilst the deceased was his niece. On 7/11/2011 at around 9. 00pm his sister called ‘Naomi’ called to inform PW1 that her daughter ‘Mechaline Mumbi’ was missing. A search was launched for the deceased.
Later at 11. 00pm PW1 received a call informing him that a window to his brother’s house had been broken into. PW1 went there and together with police and other began to search the surrounding area. They recovered the body of the deceased lying in a maize plantation covered with napier grass and a rope around her neck. Accused who was suspected to have killed the deceased was arrested and taken to the police station.
This is a case in which from 2011 to date only one witness was ever called to testify. The delays in hearing cannot be blamed entirely upon the prosecution. On several occasions the defence counsel were not ready to proceed. Ultimately the court gave the prosecution three final chances to avail witnesses.
On each of the three dates 2/3/2016, 23/6/2016 and 30/6/2016 defence counsel was present in court ready to proceed. On each of the 3 dates no prosecution witnesses was availed. The case was eventually closed.
There was not even a pretence at a prosecution here. No evidence to show the cause of death of the deceased was adduced. No doctor testified and no post-mortem report was produced. The court has no idea how the deceased met her death.
There was no eye-witnesses to the incident PW1 could shed no light on events leading to the death of the deceased. The accused was suspected because the window to deceased’s house had been broken and he was said to have a fresh cut. PW1 stated in cross-examination that
“……. It was realized that Isaac had a fresh cut so that is when people began saying Isaac was the culprit. Personally I did not see the cut on Isaac”.
Thus there was no proof that accused even had a fresh cut given that PW1 the only witness called never saw it. PW1 goes on to state
“I did not see accused killing my niece but there were rumours that he was the culprit”
Rumours do not amount to evidence. It appears that accused was arrested on the basis of suspicion which suspicion had no basis at all other than rumors.
I find that no prima facie case has been established. I enter a verdict of ‘Not Guilty’and I acquit the accused of this charge of murder. He is to be set at liberty unless otherwise lawfully held.
Dated this 17th day of July, 2016.
Ms Kipruto holding brief for Mr. Magata
Mr Chirchir for State
Maureeen Odero
Judge