[2018] KEHC 2428 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution's evidence, including eyewitness testimony, the deceased's dying declaration, and the postmortem report, sufficiently established a prima facie case against the accused. The evidence, if unchallenged, would be adequate to support a conviction for murder. Therefore, the accused is...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 2428 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Defendant: Kasyoka Munyilu
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Makueni
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 82 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Trial / Ruling on Case to Answer
- Outcome
- accused put on his defence
- Judges
- CM Kariuki
- 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
Kasyoka Munyilu
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Trial / Ruling on Case to Answer
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused to warrant putting him on his defence.
- 2 Whether the evidence adduced links the accused to the unlawful killing of the deceased.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution's evidence, including eyewitness testimony, the deceased's dying declaration, and the postmortem report, sufficiently established a prima facie case against the accused. The evidence, if unchallenged, would be adequate to support a conviction for murder. Therefore, the accused is required to be put on his defence in accordance with the principles set out in Bhatt v R.
Court Disposition
accused put on his defence
Orders
- The accused is ordered to be put on his defence.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
27 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MAKUENI
HCCR. NO. 82 OF 2017
REPUBLIC..........................................................PROSECUTION
-VERSUS-
KASYOKA MUNYILU................................................ACCUSED
RULING
1. The accused was charged with offence of Murder Contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code (Cap. 63), Laws of Kenya.
2. The particulars being that on 06/09/2015, at Kasengeini Village, Kibwezi District within Makueni County unlawfully murdered Agnes Kanza Nyamai.
3. The accused denied the charge and the matter went into trial.
4. At the end of the prosecution witness the court is called upon to make a case as to whether there is a case to answer to warrant the accused to be put on his defence.
5. The parties agreed to put submissions but none put same within the agreed time lines.
6. Thus the court is constrained to make a ruling without the advantage of the parties submissions.
7. This is a case where prosecution called 6 witnesses including Investigating officer, PW6 and the doctor PW5.
8. PW1 son of deceased saw his mother at the scene and was informed by one Nduku Masila that his mother was attached by his father (accused herein).
9. PW2 deceased cousin also was at the scene and saw the injuries sustained by deceased. He assisted her in taking her to hospital.
10. PW4 said accused held deceased by hand leading her to the scene where she was found lying injured.
11. A boda boda person told PW3 and other women at merry go round meeting that deceased was being killed. Deceased was seen bleeding saying “Kasyoka (accused) has killed me.” PW3 heard deceased utter said words.
12. The above was corroborated by PW4 who went to the scene.
13. PW5 confirmed the injuries which caused death. The postmortem report was produced.
14. The investigating officer PW6 testified that the accused was arrested by the members of public.
15. The totality of evidence on record points at the accused as the person who on prima facie basis committed the offence and thus prima facie case has been made as per principles set out in BHATT AUTHORITY.
16. The court therefore orders the accused to be put on his defence.
SIGNED, DATED AND DELIVERED THIS 13TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2018, IN OPEN COURT.
..........................
C. KARIUKI
JUDGE