Man who beheaded uncle on Valentine’s Day sacks lawyer in court
A man who beheaded his uncle on Valentine’s Day three years ago after a family row caused a stir at the High Court on Tuesday when he obstructed his sentencing by demanding that the court reviews its verdict then re-evaluate his defence afresh.
Mr Edward Kago, who was convicted by Lady Justice Jessie Lessit on March 8, had been remanded in custody until Tuesday for sentencing.
He told the judge; “ I have nothing to say in mitigation but I demand that my defence be reviewed before any sentence can be imposed on me.”
He sacked his lawyer in open court then demanded a fresh trial.
The court asked him whether he wanted to re-open his trial afresh but he insisted that the “court re-evaluates his testimony in defence.”
ANOTHER LAWYER
Mr Kago refused to be represented by the initial lawyer appointed by the deputy registrar of the high court and requested the judge to direct that “ he be allocated another lawyer.”
Lawyer Joseph Wakaba had been appointed to represent him in the case which carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
“I urge my lord to appoint me a new advocate to defend me. Also kindly review my defence,” Mr Kago told the court.
He was charged with murdering Peter Kamau Waithiru on the Valentine’s Day in 2014.
In her judgement, Justice Lessit had said the daughter of the accused witnessed how he killed his uncle after a family row.
“ Mr Kago picked a panga then slashed off the head of the deceased while his daughter watched in broad day light,” the judge said.
DISTRESS CALL
The daughter fled screaming before neighbours answered her distress call.
“ Neighbours dashed to the scene and found the headless and lifeless body of Peter Kamau Waithiru,” the judge stated.
The judge directed that Sh19,000 which had been confiscated from the accused be to the family of the deceased.
