UBUSHINJACYAHA v. DUSABIMANA

UBUSHINJACYAHA v. DUSABIMANA

The Supreme Court found that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence beyond reasonable doubt to convict Dusabimana Jeannette of infanticide. The confessions were inconsistent and uncorroborated, and the DNA evidence did not establish that the exhumed remains were those of the alleged victim or related to the accused. The principle that doubt benefits the accused was applied, leading to acquittal.

Citation
PAA0066/15/CS
Parties
Prosecution: Ubushinjacyaha; Defendant: Dusabimana Jeannette
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
4 January 2019
Case Number
PAA0066/15/CS
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Supreme Court Final Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed; conviction overturned; acquittal entered.
Legal Topics
Infanticide, Burden of Proof, Confession, Standard of Evidence, Presumption of Innocence
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Criminal Procedure Infanticide Burden of Proof Confession Standard of Evidence Presumption of Innocence

Case Brief

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Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Prosecution

Dusabimana Jeannette

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Supreme Court Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Dusabimana Jeannette killed her child Sibomana Samuel (infanticide)
  2. 2 Whether confessions alone are sufficient evidence for conviction
  3. 3 Whether prosecution met the burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court found that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence beyond reasonable doubt to convict Dusabimana Jeannette of infanticide. The confessions were inconsistent and uncorroborated, and the DNA evidence did not establish that the exhumed remains were those of the alleged victim or related to the accused. The principle that doubt benefits the accused was applied, leading to acquittal.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; conviction overturned; acquittal entered.

Orders

  • Dusabimana Jeannette is acquitted of infanticide due to reasonable doubt.
  • The prior High Court judgment is set aside in all its parts.