KIU murder case assessors advised on opinion

By Andante Okanya

Trial judge Jane Kiggundu has advised the two court assessors in the Kampala International University (KIU) murder case, to critically analyse evidence when giving their opinion on whether to convict or acquit the accused.

The accused student of Public Administration Jane Ndichu, 23 is on trial for the alleged March 10, 2010 murder of her boyfriend David Musunga.  

Musunga, 24, was allegedly stabbed in the throat with a knife and bleed to death in their one-roomed apartment in suburb of Kansanga near the university. The deceased was a Mass Communication student at the university.

The duo purportedly had a domestic row. Ndichu is currently on remand at Luzira Prison in Kampala.

The judge gave the advice to Herbert Ojuka and John Musana on Friday at the High Court in Kampala. The court session was meant to 'sum up' the case', to enable the assessors comprehend the case details before making an informed opinion.

"It is the duty of assessors to observe every possibility and give reasons. The prosecution and defence are not agreeing on the cause of death," the judge stated.

She cautioned them to take note that the cause of death is strongly disputed, with prosecution insisting that Musunga was murdered, while the defence stated from the onset that it was suicide.

Kiggundu informed the assessors that prosecution based its case on circumstantial evidence, since it was only Ndichu and Musunga who were in the room during the fatal incident.

The assessors are expected to give their opinion on Tuesday. The prosecutor is state attorney Julius Tuhairwe, while Ndichu's defence lawyer is Rose Sengendo.