This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
On October 15, 2019, a Kenyan court dealt a significant blow to the prosecution's case against suspects charged with the murder of lawyer Willie Kimani and two others.
The trial judge, Justice Jessie Lesiit, dismissed a bid to play a video of the crime scenes, which was recorded by assistant superintendent of police Joseph Muindi on August 10, 2016.
The video captured Peter Ngugi, a former police informer, explaining how the victims were executed and the places they were killed.
According to the judge, the presence of the investigating officer, Clement Mwangi, at the scene was akin to soliciting for evidence from the accused person, in total disregard of the law and rules of evidence.
Mr. Muindi had told the court that he was approached by Mr. Mwangi to record Mr. Ngugi as part of scene reconstruction.
The judge's decision weakened the prosecution's case against the four police officers and Mr. Ngugi, who are facing trial for the murder of Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda, and a taxi driver Joseph Muiruri.
The victims were kidnapped after leaving the Mavoko Law courts on June 23, 2016, and their bodies were retrieved one week later from the Athi River, near Donyo Sabuk police post, stashed in gunny bags.
