UBUSHINJACYAHA v. HABIYAKARE

UBUSHINJACYAHA v. HABIYAKARE

The court found that Habiyakare Jean-Paul intentionally killed the victim using a deadly object (stone) to the head, constituting murder under the law. However, considering he was a first-time offender and only 19 years old at the time, the sentence was reduced from life imprisonment to 25 years.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RPAA 00453/2024/CA
Parties
Prosecution: Ubushinjacyaha; Defendant: Habiyakare Jean-Paul
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
21 March 2025
Case Number
RPAA 00453/2024/CA
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment
Outcome
Appeal partially allowed
Legal Topics
Murder, Assault Causing Death, Sentencing, Mitigating Circumstances
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Murder Assault Causing Death Sentencing Mitigating Circumstances

Source-derived case record

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Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Prosecution

Habiyakare Jean-Paul

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the acts committed by Habiyakare Jean-Paul constitute murder or assault causing death
  2. 2 Whether the sentence should be reduced due to mitigating circumstances

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that Habiyakare Jean-Paul intentionally killed the victim using a deadly object (stone) to the head, constituting murder under the law. However, considering he was a first-time offender and only 19 years old at the time, the sentence was reduced from life imprisonment to 25 years.

Court Disposition

Appeal partially allowed

Orders

  • Conviction for murder affirmed
  • Sentence reduced to 25 years imprisonment