Police given 7 days to probe woman’s death
What you need to know:
- In the affidavit sworn by a homicide investigator, the police want a psychiatric examination conducted on the suspect and have sought an appointment at Mathare Hospital.
- They also want to record more statements from the couple’s neighbours, a watchman who was on duty on the material day and relatives of Ms Linda Wanjiku who were present during her autopsy.
- The woman was an investments lawyer before her death at 4.30am last Friday.
A man suspected of shooting dead his wife will spend seven more days in custody before a decision is made on the charges to be preferred against him.
Mr Erastus Odhiambo, a licensed firearm holder was Monday taken before a magistrate at the Makadara Law courts where the police filed an affidavit requesting more days to complete the probe.
Mr Odhiambo is the owner of Latitude, a popular nightspot in Nairobi’s Buru Buru estate.
“I have noted the offence that is being investigated and I am satisfied that the period sought is reasonable in the circumstances. The application is thus allowed and you will be remanded at the Buru Buru police station for seven days,” ruled Acting Chief Magistrate Eunice Nyutu .
The magistrate also declined a counter request by the suspect for fewer day in detention.
PSYCHIATRIC EXAMINATION
In the affidavit sworn by a homicide investigator, the police want a psychiatric examination conducted on the suspect and have sought an appointment at Mathare Hospital.
They also want to record more statements from the couple’s neighbours, a watchman who was on duty on the material day and relatives of Ms Linda Wanjiku who were present during her autopsy.
The woman was an investments lawyer before her death at 4.30am last Friday.
Mr Odhiambo will return to the court on December 23 for further directions before the case file is taken to the DPP for analysis and approval before he can be charged regarding the Jamhuri Day killing.
MURDER CHARGE
If he is charged with murder, he may appear before the High Court on December 24.
The outcome of the investigation may form the basis of either a murder or manslaughter trial.
Ms Wanjiku’s relatives thronged the courtroom to follow the brief proceedings.
“I have sworn an affidavit in which I request for more time,” Mr Charles Omondi, the investigating officer, told the court.
According to press reports, neighbours said they heard a gunshot after a heated argument between the couple.
