Kitui man accused of 12 murders disrupts court as he resists media coverage
What you need to know:
- He vehemently objected to being photographed despite being told the court had granted the press permission to cover the case.
- Mr Musyoka is accused of leading a gang of six men that hacked 12 people to death in Mwingi Central in Kitui County on the night of July 3, 2013.
- He asked the court to line up Nyanyaa Location Chief Samuel Maithya as a witness in the case, saying his testimony was vital.
- Mr Musyoka, Mr Mutua and others who are still at large, are facing 12 counts of murder.
A man accused of 2013 mass murder disrupted court proceedings in Kitui Wednesday when he turned violent as he resisted coverage by the media.
Mr John Kilonzo Musyoka alias Karunyu, attacked court orderlies as he protested against journalists taking pictures of him and co-accused Kimanzi Mutua when they appeared before Magistrate Rose Ombata.
He vehemently objected to being photographed despite being told the court had granted the press permission to cover the case.
A fierce fight broke out as more court orderlies rushed to help their colleagues subdue him.
The magistrate and the public had to scuttle out of the court to safety.
The suspect was eventually subdued and handcuffed.
Mr Musyoka is accused of leading a gang of six men that hacked 12 people to death in Mwingi Central in Kitui County on the night of July 3, 2013.
He and his accomplices evaded the long arm of the law until he was recently apprehended in Machakos in connection with a robbery.
ARRESTED FOR ROBBERY
Identifying himself as Jackson Mutua Kimazi, he denied the robbery charge and was detained at Machakos GK Prisons awaiting trial.
The police were initially unaware they had the most wanted criminal in their custody until other inmates alerted them.
Mr Musyoka, Mr Mutua and others who are still at large, are facing 12 counts of murder.
State counsel Mildred Awuor asked the court to order the two to be taken to Machakos Level Five Hospital for mental examination before being officially charged.
She also urged the court to set another mention date as the State looks for a lawyer for them.
Mr Musyoka asked the court to line up Nyanyaa Location Chief Samuel Maithya as a witness in the case, saying his testimony was vital.
The deputy registrar directed that the two be taken to Machakos County Referral Hospital for psychiatric examination and a consequent report be presented in court during the mention of the case on March 2, 2016.
She also ordered that both be remanded at Machakos GK Prison.
