[2009] KEHC 2995 (KLR)
The court found that the accused and the deceased were friends and that there was no intention to cause harm. The fatal blow was a single punch during a brief scuffle over money, and the accused immediately fled the scene. The medical evidence established that the cause of death was internal bleeding from a ruptured...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2009] KEHC 2995 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Defendant: Patrick Atozo Masiza
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kakamega
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 29 of 2004
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Sentencing
- Outcome
- accused set at liberty
- Legal Topics
- Manslaughter, Sentencing Principles, Mitigating Circumstances, Unlawful Killing
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Patrick Atozo Masiza
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Sentencing
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the accused unlawfully killed the deceased, constituting manslaughter.
- 2 Whether the circumstances warranted a custodial sentence given the period already spent in custody and the absence of intent to harm.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the accused and the deceased were friends and that there was no intention to cause harm. The fatal blow was a single punch during a brief scuffle over money, and the accused immediately fled the scene. The medical evidence established that the cause of death was internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen due to trauma. The accused had already spent almost five years in custody awaiting trial. The court determined that, given the lack of intent, the remorse shown, the personal circumstances of the accused, and the significant period already served in custody, a further custodial sentence would serve no useful purpose. Accordingly, the accused was set at liberty unless...
Court Disposition
accused set at liberty
Orders
- The accused is set at liberty unless otherwise lawfully held.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
16 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT KAKAMEGA
Criminal Case 29 of 2004
REPUBLIC ……………………………………………. PROSECUTOR
V E R S U S
PATRICK ATOZO MASIZA ……………………………… ACCUSE
S E N T E N C E
The accused herein was charged with murder contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. On 2/7/2009 the prosecution reduced the charge to that of manslaughter contrary to section 202 as read with section 205 of the Penal Code and the accused pleaded to the lesser charge whose facts are that on the 9th day of August, 2004 at Gambogi village, Tigoi Sub-location in Vihiga District within Western Province, the accused unlawfully killed Daniel Atia Masalia.
On 9/8/2004 at 6. 00 p.m. the deceased arrived at his home when the accused visited him. Both deceased and accused used to work as touts at Gambogi bus stage. The deceased asked for his share of the day’s collection. A brief scuffle ensued and the accused hit the deceased with his fist once on the stomach and ran away.
The deceased fell down and was assisted by his mother to his house. He died after a few hours. Police were notified and took the body to Vihiga District Hospital mortuary. A post mortem was conducted on 11/8/2004 by Dr. Dagaye who opined that the cause of death was severe internal bleeding due to rapture of the spleen caused by trauma.
Mr. Ondieki, counsel for the accused submitted that the accused is very remorseful and that the deceased was his friend. They used to work together and that he had gone to the deceased’s home to give him his share of the day’s collection when the misunderstanding arose. The accused hit the deceased once and ran away. The accused is 35 years old, has a wife and 2 children under the age of 12 years. He has two young brothers and an old mother who depend on him.
I have considered the circumstances of the case whereby the deceased and the accused were friends. There was no intention to harm the deceased and what happened was unfortunate. The accused was arrested on 19/8/2004 and has been in custody for 4 years and almost 11 months. Taking into account the period the accused has been in custody I do not think a custodial sentence would be of any use. I hereby set the accused at liberty unless otherwise lawfully held.
Dated, delivered and signed at Kakamega 15th day of July, 2009
SAID J. CHITEMBWE
J U D G E