[2012] KEHC 5285 (KLR)
The court held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused based on the evidence presented, including witness testimonies and medical evidence indicating death by strangulation. The court clarified that at this stage, the prosecution is only required to show that there is a case for...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2012] KEHC 5285 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Defendant: Moses Kora Chacha
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisii
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 5 of 2009
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on No Case to Answer at Close of Prosecution Case
- Outcome
- Accused put on his defence.
- Judges
- AT Sitati
- Legal Topics
- Murder Charge, 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
Applicant
Moses Kora Chacha
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on No Case to Answer at Close of Prosecution Case
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 presented by the prosecution sufficiently links the accused to the death of the deceased at this stage.
- 3 Whether the standard of proof at this stage requires proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Ratio Decidendi
The court held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused based on the evidence presented, including witness testimonies and medical evidence indicating death by strangulation. The court clarified that at this stage, the prosecution is only required to show that there is a case for the accused to answer, not to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. The defence's arguments regarding gaps in the prosecution's case and the possibility of suicide were considered but found insufficient to prevent the accused from being put on his defence. Accordingly, the accused was called upon to elect how he wished to present his defence as provided under section 306(2) of...
Court Disposition
Accused put on his defence.
Orders
- The accused is put on his defence under section 306(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
- The accused to indicate to the court which mode of defence he will adopt.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
33 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT KISII
CRIMINAL CASE (MURDER) NO. 5 OF 2009
REPUBLIC ……………………………………..........…………….……… PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
MOSES KORA CHACHA …………………………................………..……… ACCUSED
RULING
1. The accused herein, Moses Kora Chachais charged with murder contrary to section 203as read withsection 204of thePenal Code. It is alleged that on the night of 26th/27th December 2008 at Keboye sub location in Kisii South District within Nyanza Province, he murdered CHARLES CHACHA ORANGI. He denied committing the offence.
2. The prosecution called five (5) witnesses from whose testimonies it hoped to convince this court that the accused, who was bitter with his deceased father for refusing to share out family land, carefully planned to kill his father and that the accused did not hide his intentions. The prosecution also expected to show by the evidence of the 5 prosecution witnesses that the accused armed himself before confronting his father and assaulting him senseless. On the following day after the assault, the deceased was found lying dead with injuries around his neck. The medical evidence given by PW4, Dr. Cheruiyot Kipng’eno Robert showed that the deceased had died due to cardio respiratory arrest due to strangulation of the neck.
3. At the close of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused submitted that the prosecution has not established a prima facie case warranting the accused being put on his defence. Defence counsel pointed out the following:-
·that it was not established at what time the deceased might have met his death;
·that though PW1, Ronald Orangi Chacha, alleged to have found his father’s door open on the morning the deceased’s body was discovered, he could not say who had opened the door;
·that it is not clear from the evidence on record as to what may have happened to the deceased before he met his death.
4. It was the contention of the defence that the deceased may have committed suicide, a theory that was discounted by Dr. Cheruiyot, PW4.
5. At this stage, what is required of the prosecution is to show that on the face of it, the accused needs to explain himself. Contrary to what counsel for the accused said, this is not the stage requiring the prosecution to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt. That standard of proof is for the final stage of the fight between the prosecution and the defence.
6. I have now carefully considered the submissions made to the court in this matter. I have also considered the law as to what constitutes a prima facie case. On the basis of the law and the evidence that is on record, I am satisfied that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the accused warranting him to be put on his defence. Accordingly, I proceed to put the accused on his defence.
7. Towards that end, I am under a duty to remind the accused of the provisions of section 306 (2)of the Criminal Procedure Code that there are three ways in which the accused can defend himself:-
“i)By giving sworn testimony from the witness box in which case he will be liable to cross examination by theprosecution;
ii)By giving unsworn evidence from the dock, in which case, no questions will be put to him;
iii)By choosing to remain silent.”
In each case, the accused has the right to call witnesses.
8. It is now the turn of the accused to indicate to the court which option he will take.
9. It is so ordered.
Dated and delivered at Kisii this 26th day of January, 2012.
RUTH NEKOYE SITATI
JUDGE
In the presence of:
Mr. Gitonga (present) for State
Mr. Kaburi (present) for Accused
Mr. Bibu - Court Clerk
RUTH NEKOYE SITATI
JUDGE.