[2012] KEHC 5282 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution failed to call any witnesses or adduce any evidence to support the charge of murder against the accused. The law requires that the prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. In the absence of any evidence, the prosecution failed to discharge its burden....
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2012] KEHC 5282 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Defendant: Julius Okongo Barongo
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisii
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 54 of 2008
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Judgment
- Outcome
- acquittal
- Legal Topics
- Murder, Burden of Proof, Acquittal, Criminal Procedure
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
Republic
Applicant
Julius Okongo Barongo
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the prosecution proved the charge of murder against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.
- 2 Whether the accused is entitled to an acquittal under section 306(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution failed to call any witnesses or adduce any evidence to support the charge of murder against the accused. The law requires that the prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. In the absence of any evidence, the prosecution failed to discharge its burden. Consequently, the accused was entitled to an acquittal under section 306(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The court therefore acquitted the accused of the charge of murder and ordered his immediate release unless otherwise lawfully held.
Court Disposition
acquittal
Orders
- The accused is acquitted of the charge of murder under section 306(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
- Unless otherwise lawfully held, the accused shall be released from prison custody forthwith.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
24 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT KISII
CRIMINAL CASE (MURDER) NO. 54 OF 2008
REPUBLIC ……………………………….................………………..….……… PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
JULIUS OKONGO BARONGO ………………..................………………..………… ACCUSED
JUDGMENT
1. The accused herein, Julius Barongois charged with murder contrary to section 203as read with section 204of the Penal Code. The particulars of the offence are that on the 18th November 2008 at Boige village, Makara sub location, South Gucha District within Nyanza Province, jointly with another not before the court murdered SIMON OMBOGA KIMONGE. The accused denied committing the offence.
2. The prosecution has not called any single witness in support of its case against the accused person. The advocate for the defence prays that in the absence of any evidence to connect the accused with the offence, the accused is entitled to an acquittal under section 306 (1)of the Criminal Procedure Code.
3. I have considered the submissions. The law is that he who alleges must prove. In the instant case, the prosecution alleged that the accused
Julius Barongo murdered Simon Omboga Kimonge on the 18th November 2008. No iota of evidence has been placed before this court as proof of that allegation.
4. Accordingly and for the reasons above stated, the court finds that the prosecution has not proved its claims of murder against the accused person beyond any reasonable doubt. The accused did not admit the offence. In the circumstances, the accused herein is acquitted of the charge of murder in accordance with the provisions of section 306 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
5. Unless he is otherwise lawfully held, the accused shall be released from prison custody forthwith.
6. It is so ordered.
Dated and delivered in open court here at Kisii this 26th day of January, 2012.
RUTH NEKOYE SITATI
JUDGE.
In the presence of:
Mr. Gitonga for the State
Mr. Kerosi Ondieki for Mbicha for accused
RUTH NEKOYE SITATI
JUDGE.
26/01/201