By Antynet Ford
Joseph Irungu alias Jowie murdered Monica Kimani, the court has ruled. In her ruling today, Justice Grace Nzioka stated the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Jowie murdered Kimani. “All this evidence taken leaves a strong conclusion that Irungu murdered Monica Kimani.” She ruled.
Nzioka said Jowie stole an ID two days before committing the incident, armed himself with a gun, carried a kanzu and put it over his clothes, gained access to the apartment of the deceased and murdered Monica Kimani. “Left the house, changed his clothes and eventually went home and burnt the clothes which he wore during the commission of the offence.” she said.
“The death occurred, cause of the death, the first accused committed the offence. It was not a case of homicide but unlawful. I find Jowie guilty as charged herein of the offence of murder.” Nzioka read her ruling.
Making the ruling on Friday, Justice Grace Nzioka said the prosecution has adduced sufficient evidence and has met the threshold.
“The person who killed the deceased did not intend to give her even one minute to survive. It is my considered opinion and finding that the perpetrator intended instant death,” Justice Grace Nzioka said. Justice Nzioka said Jowie knew Monica Kimani before her death.
She said the issue arose because the evidence of the first accused person is, that he did not know the deceased at all before her death.
“It is the finding of this court, that the evidence by the first accused person that he did not know the deceased before her death is untenable, insincere and it is an afterthought and it is false.” Nzioka said.
“The court finds that the first accused person was known to the deceased because they were together at Kenya Polytechnic. They were in the same class taking the same course.”
Monica’s body was found at her Lamuria Gardens Apartment which is located on Kitale Lane off Denis Pritt Road in Kilimani. Jowie and Jacque Maribe have been on trial since 2018, with the prosecution having called 35 witnesses. The defence did not call any witnesses.
The justice also said there was corroborative evidence as to the clothes that Jowie Irungu wore when Monica Kimani was killed.
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Corroborating evidence is evidence that strengthens or confirms already existing evidence. The evidence from a witness Pamela indicates that when Jowie left the house, he was wearing a white shirt with patterns, a maroon cap and brown shorts.
Kimani’s body was found in a bathtub with her throat slit. Her hands and feet were tied behind her back and her mouth was taped shut. Police said the murder would have required more than one man to execute. Kimani who died at 27, held a diploma in International Relations from Kenya Polytechnic.
She did her internship at the Kenyan Embassy in Juba, South Sudan. At the time of her death, she was managing her father’s company, MililePaul General Trading Company.