Nyeri High Court frees violent robbery suspects after appeal

A man and woman who had been sentenced to death for robbery with violence have been set free by the High Court in Nyeri following an appeal.

Mercy Muthoni and Joseph Muiruri appealed the sentence through lawyer Wahome Gikonyo arguing that the trial court failed to call crucial witnesses in the case.

They were jointly charged that on September 12, 2013 at Lachuta Farm area in Kieni West they robbed Joseph Weru Murakaru one mobile phone, Sh18,000 cash and one motor vehicle make Toyota Succeed all valued at Sh722,500.

The court heard that they used force and violence to commit the offence.

POKED HOLES

Lawyer Gikonyo poked holes in the prosecution evidence saying there were discrepancies in description of the vehicle robbed from the complainant.

He said the registration number indicated in the charge sheet was KBM 522Y while the complainant in his testimony said his vehicle was KBA 592Y Probox.

The lawyer added that another witness gave registration numbers as KBN 522Y and that when the complainant was recalled he gave registration number of his vehicle as KBL 522L.

He submitted that there was glaring contradictions that gave rise to a question as to how many vehicles were involved in this robbery.

FAULTED

The lawyer faulted Senior Resident Magistrate Christine Wekesa for convicting the two suspects without any amendments done.

He added that police did not conduct identification parade and the complainant identified the suspects while they were in the dock during hearing.

The prosecution conceded stating that there was doubt as to whether the two were identified as perpetrators and nothing was recovered from them.

The complainant, Mr Murakaru narrated to court that the suspects picked him at Chaka to carry vegetables in Mweiga but was requested to pick two men to help load the farm produce.

ORDERED

He said along the way the occupants ordered him to stop and grabbed his neck.

The court heard that he was beaten using fists from behind while being told he had disturbed them.

He said at some point he was about to lose consciousness as they tied his hands and left him at the scene.

While setting the suspects free, Lady Justice Rachel Ng'etich pointed out that the witnesses failed to connect the suspects with the stolen vehicle.

EVIDENCE

“The trial magistrate erred in believing prosecution evidence on identification by recognition yet the appellants were not known to the complainant before,” ruled the judge.

The trial court, the judge observed, should have warned itself of the dangers of relying on evidence of a single identifying witness and subject the evidence to test.

The court also noted that no enquiry was made as concern ownership of the vehicle since different registration numbers were given by the witnesses.

“Prosecution never amended the charge neither did the complainant avail ownership documents,” the judge said.