BY WINSTONE MUSISI
A-15-year-old standard seven pupil suspected to have killed a neighbor has been arraigned before an Eldoret court facing murder charges.
The minor who schools in Nandi county appeared before outgoing Justice Stephen Githinji and denied the murder charge after mental assessment tests showed that he was mentally fit to take plea.
According to the charge sheet, the minor is said to have murdered 44 year-old farmer Jackson Liboyo on September 13, 2021 at Matema village in Kapsimotwo within Nandi County.
A pro bono advocate Moses Rotich who represents the minor requested the court to consider releasing the minor on reasonable bond terms so that he could go back to school and continue with his education.
Birth certificate
“Your honor, my client is a minor and a school going boy who is now in standard seven. We have presented to court his age assessment report and a copy of his birth certificate. His life entirely depends on his education and we request for lenient bond terms,” pleaded Rotich.
The lawyer further added that the minor’s safety at home was assured and that he would attend all court sessions without fail.
However, Justice Githinji ordered that a pre-bail report be presented in court before the release of the minor can be considered.
“A plea of not guilty has been entered but a pre-bail report must be tabled in court before consideration to release the minor on bond.
Meanwhile, the minor will be held at Kapsabet police station,” directed Justice Githinji.
According to initial police investigations, the minor was arrested after the incident which occurred following a conflict that ensued
between the minor and the deceased.
The suspect is said to have hit Liboyo with a stone on his forehead after he confronted him for trespassing on his maize and tea
plantation that he was working as a caretaker.
The case will come up for mention on October 29.