State wants Aurien convicted for murder
Nov 15, 2010
THE state has asked court to convict former Mukono district Police commander James Peter Aurien of the murder of his wife, Christine Apolot.
By Edward Anyoli
THE state has asked court to convict former Mukono district Police commander James Peter Aurien of the murder of his wife, Christine Apolot.
Principal State Attorney Jane Okuo Kajuga yesterday asked the court to convict Aurien, saying prosecution had proved its case against Aurien ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.
“The conduct of the accused after the incident is not compatible with his innocence. He never called the sisters of the deceased to inform them of what had happened,†Okuo said.
She noted that Aurien had malice aforethought against his wife because their marriage had been strained due to constant quarrelling and threats from Aurien.
Okuo told Justice Lawrence Gidudu sitting in Mukono High Court, where Aurien is being tried, that the victim and the accused had quarreled bitterly because he suspected her of having extra-marital affairs.
Okuo added that after the death of his wife, Aurien fled, which was an indication of his guilt.
“That is not the conduct of an innocent man. If his wife had shot herself, he had no reason to dump her body by the roadside. It is my prayer that court finds the accused guilty and convicts him as charged,†Okuo said.
Aurien’s lawyer, Henry Kunya, however, asked court to acquit his client, saying the key witness, Hellen Ruth Akello, who is also the younger sister to the deceased, gave contradictory statements to court.
Akello was at the time living with the couple. Kunya said even the testimony of the investigating officer, James Adanga, had contradictions.
“Contradiction of testimony affects the credibility of the witnesses. The testimony of Adanga and Akello should be treated with caution because they were not truthful,†Kunya said.
Earlier in his defence, Aurien denied shooting his wife. He told Gidudu that on April 19, 2008 when he returned from monitoring a by-election in Buikwe South, that his wife had carried away his pistol to her bedroom. Court heard that the couple slept in different bedrooms.
He testified that when he asked for it, she instead drew the pistol and pointed it at him, threatening to shoot.
Aurien added that as he turned to go back to his bedroom, he heard a gun shot and noticed that his wife had shot herself in the left eye.
He said he rushed her to Kawolo Hospital, but unfortunately she died on arrival.
Aurien noted that later, he left the body at Lugazi post office and rushed to his village in Bukedea district to pay dowry as is required by the customs of the Iteso.
He said he left Apolot’s body by the roadside because he had got information that he would be shot on sight.
Aurien reported to the Police eight days after the death of his wife and recorded a statement in which he said his wife had shot herself.
Aurien’s defence followed the testimony of 16 witnesses, who included the two sisters of Apolot.
Court also heard that prior to the Apolot’s death, Aurien had threatened her, saying she had been seen in a lodge with a man in Kampala. Hearing continues on November 17.
THE state has asked court to convict former Mukono district Police commander James Peter Aurien of the murder of his wife, Christine Apolot.
Principal State Attorney Jane Okuo Kajuga yesterday asked the court to convict Aurien, saying prosecution had proved its case against Aurien ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.
“The conduct of the accused after the incident is not compatible with his innocence. He never called the sisters of the deceased to inform them of what had happened,†Okuo said.
She noted that Aurien had malice aforethought against his wife because their marriage had been strained due to constant quarrelling and threats from Aurien.
Okuo told Justice Lawrence Gidudu sitting in Mukono High Court, where Aurien is being tried, that the victim and the accused had quarreled bitterly because he suspected her of having extra-marital affairs.
Okuo added that after the death of his wife, Aurien fled, which was an indication of his guilt.
“That is not the conduct of an innocent man. If his wife had shot herself, he had no reason to dump her body by the roadside. It is my prayer that court finds the accused guilty and convicts him as charged,†Okuo said.
Aurien’s lawyer, Henry Kunya, however, asked court to acquit his client, saying the key witness, Hellen Ruth Akello, who is also the younger sister to the deceased, gave contradictory statements to court.
Akello was at the time living with the couple. Kunya said even the testimony of the investigating officer, James Adanga, had contradictions.
“Contradiction of testimony affects the credibility of the witnesses. The testimony of Adanga and Akello should be treated with caution because they were not truthful,†Kunya said.
Earlier in his defence, Aurien denied shooting his wife. He told Gidudu that on April 19, 2008 when he returned from monitoring a by-election in Buikwe South, that his wife had carried away his pistol to her bedroom. Court heard that the couple slept in different bedrooms.
He testified that when he asked for it, she instead drew the pistol and pointed it at him, threatening to shoot.
Aurien added that as he turned to go back to his bedroom, he heard a gun shot and noticed that his wife had shot herself in the left eye.
He said he rushed her to Kawolo Hospital, but unfortunately she died on arrival.
Aurien noted that later, he left the body at Lugazi post office and rushed to his village in Bukedea district to pay dowry as is required by the customs of the Iteso.
He said he left Apolot’s body by the roadside because he had got information that he would be shot on sight.
Aurien reported to the Police eight days after the death of his wife and recorded a statement in which he said his wife had shot herself.
Aurien’s defence followed the testimony of 16 witnesses, who included the two sisters of Apolot.
Court also heard that prior to the Apolot’s death, Aurien had threatened her, saying she had been seen in a lodge with a man in Kampala. Hearing continues on November 17.