UBUSHINJACYAHA v. HATEGEKIMANA Et Al.

UBUSHINJACYAHA v. HATEGEKIMANA Et Al.

The Court of Appeal found that the evidence against the appellants was insufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The only direct evidence was a confession by Hategekimana, which was later retracted and shown to be inconsistent and possibly coerced. The DNA report excluded the appellants from contact with...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RPAA 00334/2020/CA
Parties
Prosecution: Ubushinjacyaha; Appellant: Hategekimana Jean Claude alias Bishyinga; Appellant: Hafashimana Samuel alias Munigantama; Appellant: Hagenimana alias Rukara Barungi; Co Accused (acquitted at High Court): Muhawenimana Titus
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
12 November 2021
Case Number
RPAA 00334/2020/CA
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Final Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed; convictions quashed; appellants acquitted and released.
Legal Topics
Murder, Evidence, Standard of Proof, Appeal, Acquittal
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Murder Evidence Standard of Proof Appeal Acquittal

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Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Prosecution

Hategekimana Jean Claude alias Bishyinga

Appellant

Hafashimana Samuel alias Munigantama

Appellant

Hagenimana alias Rukara Barungi

Appellant

Muhawenimana Titus

Co Accused (acquitted at High Court)

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Court of Appeal Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the appellants were properly convicted of murder based on the evidence presented
  2. 2 Whether the confessions and other evidence met the standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal found that the evidence against the appellants was insufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The only direct evidence was a confession by Hategekimana, which was later retracted and shown to be inconsistent and possibly coerced. The DNA report excluded the appellants from contact with the murder weapon. The prosecution failed to provide corroborative evidence of conspiracy or participation. Therefore, doubt existed and the appellants were acquitted.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; convictions quashed; appellants acquitted and released.

Orders

  • The judgment of the High Court (RPA 00943/2018/HC/KIG) is overturned in all its parts.
  • Hategekimana Jean Claude alias Bishyinga, Hafashimana Samuel alias Munigantama, and Hagenimana alias Rukara Barungi are acquitted of murder due to reasonable doubt.