This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
On May 7, 2013, a tragic incident occurred at Kabogua Ka Nyama Market in Mbeere North Sub-county, Embu County, where Nicoleta Mugwe lost her life in a stabbing incident.
Benedita Gacugu, the accused, was charged with the murder of Mugwe. The case had been ongoing for six years, with the prosecution calling eight witnesses to testify.
However, the prosecution's case was weakened by the contradictions in the sequence of events provided by the witnesses, which raised doubts about the accused's guilt.
Justice Florence Muchemi, the presiding judge, observed that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against Gacugu beyond a reasonable doubt.
On Wednesday, Justice Muchemi acquitted Gacugu, citing the lack of convincing evidence to warrant a conviction.
During the trial, the accused's husband, Amos Njuki, testified that he saw Gacugu stab Mugwe outside a nearby shop. However, the accused's advocate, Momanyi Gichuki, argued that the prosecution witnesses could not substantiate their claims.
Published on August 15, 2019.
