[2015] KEHC 6080 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution's evidence, including identification of the accused at the scene under moonlight, the recovery and identification of the alleged murder weapon in the accused's house, and corroborative testimony from multiple prosecution witnesses, established a prima facie case against the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEHC 6080 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Republic; Defendant: Wycliffe Makokha Kasala
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kakamega
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 8 of 2008
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Case to Answer After Close of Prosecution Case
- Outcome
- Accused found to have a case to answer and put on his defence.
- Legal Topics
- Murder, Prima Facie Case, Identification Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Burden of Proof
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Applicant
Wycliffe Makokha Kasala
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Case to Answer After 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 adduced by the prosecution is sufficient to require the accused to answer the charge of murder.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution's evidence, including identification of the accused at the scene under moonlight, the recovery and identification of the alleged murder weapon in the accused's house, and corroborative testimony from multiple prosecution witnesses, established a prima facie case against the accused. The court held that if the accused were to offer no evidence, a conviction could be sustained on the evidence on record. Therefore, the accused was found to have a case to answer and was put on his defence under section 306(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Court Disposition
Accused found to have a case to answer and put on his defence.
Orders
- The accused is put on his defence under section 306(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
23 paragraphs
NO.2105
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT KAKAMEGA
CRIMINAL CASE NO. 8 OF 2008
REPUBLIC...........................................................................................PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
WYCLIFFE MAKOKHA KASALA..........................................................ACCUSED
R U L I N G
The accused herein is charged with murder contrary to sections 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. The particulars are that on 23-12-2007 at Inaya Village within Lubinu sub location, East Wanga Location in Mumias District within Western Province he jointly with others not before the court murdered IBRAHIM ANYONYI MOSI (“the deceased”). He denied the charge. He was represented by Mr. Elungata.
In the course of the trial, which commenced on 15/02/2012 and ran up to 22/01/2015, the prosecution called Five 5 witnesses, at the end of which, the Defence counsel, Mr. Elungata- submitted that the prosecution had not adduced sufficient evidence to warrant putting the accused on his defence. Mr. Ngetich for the Prosecution maintained that a prima facie case has been established to warrant putting the accused person on his defence.
Part of the evidence by the prosecution was taken by Hon. Mr. Justice Chitembwe before he was transferred. This court only took the evidence of PW5 the Investigating Officer upon due compliance with Section 200 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
This Court has carefully gone through the entire evidence adduced by the prosecution, and considered the submissions by both learned counsel. The prosecution by close of its case is required to establish a prima facie case. Such a case is one where, if the accused does not offer any defence then the court could convict on the evidence on record.
In my view the evidence herein establishes a prima facie case against the accused. Although the incident upon which this case is hinged occurred at night there was moonlight and the suspects could be identified. The weapon that is alleged to have been used in attacking the deceased was seen in the accused's house and identified by the Prosecution Witness 4 (PW4) who claimed to have witnessed the attack on the deceased by three persons who included the accused herein. Prosecution Witness 2 (PW2) who gave evidence that the deceased had sent the accused to buy some items is corroborated by that of PW3 and PW4. The accused never returned the change belonging to the deceased who went to ask for the same and which prompted the accused and two others to attack him (deceased) that alleged attack led to the death of the deceased.
Taking all the evidence into account, I have found and concluded that the prosecution has made out a prima facie case to warrant putting the accused on his defence on the murder charge preferred against him.
Accordingly, I rule that the accused has a case to answer. The accused is therefore put on his defence under section 306 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
In defending himself the accused person can elect to give evidence on oath or give an unsworn statement. He also has the option of remaining silent and letting the court decide the case on the evidence before it. If he chooses to give sworn evidence, he will be asked questions by the prosecution. Whichever option the accused chooses, he has a right to call witnesses.
Delivered, dated and signed in open court at Kakamega this 19th day of February 2015
RUTH N. SITATI
J U D G E
In the presence of
Mr. Ngetich……….. for State
Mr. Elung’ata……….. for Accused
Mr. F. Juma……….Court Assistant