[2018] KEHC 3573 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution failed to adduce any evidence linking the accused to the murder of William Ngado Sire. The only witness called by the prosecution, Pw1, did not witness the murder nor provide any information as to who committed the offence. As such, there was no evidence upon which the court...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEHC 3573 (KLR)
- Parties
- Respondent: Republic; Defendant: Stephene Parsoloi Sire
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisii
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 56 of 2015
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Case to Answer at Close of Prosecution Case
- Outcome
- acquittal
- Judges
- REA Ougo
- Legal Topics
- Murder, Burden of Proof, Prima Facie Case
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Respondent
Stephene Parsoloi Sire
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Case to Answer at Close of Prosecution Case
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the prosecution established a prima facie case against the accused to warrant putting him on his defence.
- 2 Whether there was any evidence linking the accused to the murder of William Ngado Sire.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution failed to adduce any evidence linking the accused to the murder of William Ngado Sire. The only witness called by the prosecution, Pw1, did not witness the murder nor provide any information as to who committed the offence. As such, there was no evidence upon which the court could find a prima facie case against the accused. The prosecution, having failed to discharge its burden of proof even at the threshold required to put the accused on his defence, left the court with no option but to acquit the accused under Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The accused was therefore found to have no case to answer and was acquitted of the charge of murder.
Court Disposition
acquittal
Orders
- The accused, Stephene Parsoloi Sire, is acquitted of the charge of murder and is to be set at liberty unless otherwise lawfully held.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
19 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KISII
CRIMINAL CASE NO.56 OF 2015
REPUBLIC..................................................................................PROSECUTION
-VERSUS-
STEPHENE PARSOLOI SIRE............................................................ACCUSED
RULING
1. Stephene Parsoloi Sire faces a charge of Murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. The particulars of the offence are that, “On the 3rd day of July 2015 within Ilpashire village in Transmara west sub-county in Narok County, murdered William Ngado Sire”. The prosecution was to call eight witnesses.
2. The accused person denied the offence. The plea was taken on the 2/12/2015 and the matter proceeded to hearing. The prosecution called their first witness on the 22/3/2017. Pw1 SAMMY TABOI NAMISHERE an assistant chief testified that he knows the accused, who lives in my area. He also knows the deceased William Ngadosiri. That in April 2015, the deceased went to his home with another boy to my home and identified themselves to him as the sons of one MUSA SIRI. They told that they wanted to migrate into a shamba in my sub-location. He asked them if their father was aware of their intention and they were not very clear about it. He asked them to come with their father so that the land could be sub-divided. The mother of the deceased lived on the said land at that time. The 2 men did not go back to him. On 3/7/2017 he received a report that the deceased and his brother had gone to the land that they had said they wanted to occupy and that a fight had erupted and William was killed but he did not get the body at the scene. During cross-examination he denied being at the murder scene at the time the same took place.
3. This was the only witness the prosecution called to support their case against the accused. Thereafter the prosecution sought several adjournments to call the remaining witnesses. After being given several chances to do so from the 22/3/2017, this court gave the prosecution a last adjournment on the 28th June 2018. I declined to grant another adjournment on the 24th September 2018 and the prosecution closed their case. Mr. Kanyangi advocate for the accused asked the court to acquit the accused as there was no evidence adduced to link the accused to the offence of murder as charged. The prosecution chose to rely on the evidence on record which is the evidence of Pw1.
4. It is the burden of the prosecution to adduce evidence to support their case. The only evidence adduced through Pw1 does not link the accused to the murder of William Ngado Sire. Pw1 did not witness the murder nor was he informed who murdered the deceased. Murder is a serious offence and for the court to find that there is a prima facie case that would necessitate to put the accused on his defense there must be sufficient evidence to do so. The prosecution on the evidence adduced, has failed to adduce any evidence to link the accused to the murder of William Ngado Sire. I therefore find that the accused had no case to answer. He is acquitted of the charge of Murder; he is free to go unless lawfully held.
Dated signed and delivered this 25th day of September 2018
R. E. OUGO
JUDGE
In the presence of;
Accused Present
Mr.Otieno For the State
Mr. Kanyangi For the Accused
Ms Rael Court/clerk