[2020] KEHC 4578 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution, having called seven witnesses, established a prima facie case against the accused for the offence of murder. Applying the standard articulated in Ramanlal Bhatt v R and the requirements of Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the court determined that a reasonable...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2020] KEHC 4578 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Defendant: Morris Kimathi
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Meru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 11 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Case to Answer
- Outcome
- Accused placed on his defence.
- Judges
- F Gikonyo
- 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
Morris Kimathi
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Case to Answer
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused to warrant him being put on his defence.
- 2 Whether the evidence adduced by the prosecution meets the threshold under Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution, having called seven witnesses, established a prima facie case against the accused for the offence of murder. Applying the standard articulated in Ramanlal Bhatt v R and the requirements of Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the court determined that a reasonable tribunal, properly directing its mind to the law and evidence, could convict the accused if no explanation is offered by the defence. Therefore, the accused must be put on his defence and informed of his rights under Section 306(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Court Disposition
Accused placed on his defence.
Orders
- The accused is hereby placed on his defence.
- The accused has been informed of his right to address the court, give evidence, make an unsworn statement, and call witnesses in his defence.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT MERU
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 11 OF 2015
REPUBLIC..................................................................................PROSECUTOR
-VERSUS-
MORRIS KIMATHI..........................................................ACCUSED PERSON
RULING
Case to answer
[1] The accused person was charged with the offence of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code CAP 63 of the Laws of Kenya. The prosecution closed its case on 11th December 2019; after calling four (4) witnesses. Counsel for the state intimated that they will not submit on no case to answer. Counsel for the accused person stated that he will file written submissions within twenty one (21) days; however at the time of writing this ruling none had been filed. I should now determine, as a matter of law, whether or not the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused as to call upon him to enter his defence. See Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure Code which provides that:-
306. (1) When the evidence of the witnesses for the prosecution has been concluded, the court, if it considers that there is no evidence that the accused or any one of several accused committed the offence shall, after hearing, if necessary, any arguments which the advocate for the prosecution or the defence may desire to submit, record a finding of not guilty.
(2) When the evidence of the witnesses for the prosecution has been concluded, the court, if it considers that there is evidence that the accused person or any one or more of several accused persons committed the offence, shall inform each such accused person of his right to address the court, either personally or by his advocate (if any), to give evidence on his own behalf, or to make an unsworn statement, and to call witnesses in his defence, and in all cases shall require him or his advocate (if any) to state whether it is intended to call any witnesses as to fact other than the accused person himself; and upon being informed thereof, the judge shall record the fact.
(3) If the accused person says that he does not intend to give evidence or make an unsworn statement, or to adduce evidence, then the advocate for the prosecution may sum up the case against the accused person; but if the accused person says that he intends to give evidence or make an unsworn statement, or to adduce evidence, the court shall call upon him to enter upon his defence.
[2] A Prima facie case has been said to be;
‘’…one which a reasonable tribunal properly directing its mind to the law and the evidence would convict if no explanation is offered by the defence’’. See RAMANLAL BHATT vs. R[1]
[3] The accused is facing a charge of murder. Seven witnesses gave evidence for the prosecution. Upon perusal of the said evidence adduced, there is a prima facie case established against the accused. Accordingly, the accused is hereby placed on his defence.
[4] The accused person has been duly informed of his right to address the court, either personally or by his advocate, to give evidence on his own behalf, or to make an unsworn statement, and to call witnesses in his defence. The accused or his advocate is required to state whether it is intended to call any witnesses as to fact other than the accused person himself. Section 306 of the CPC complied with. It is so ordered.
Dated, signed and delivered this 29th day of June 2020
F. GIKONYO
JUDGE
Representation
Otieno C & Co Advocates for accused
callotti9@gmail.com
DPP, Meru for state
dppmerucounty@yahoo.com