Joseph Irungu, known as Jowie, voiced his concerns in court on Tuesday regarding the delays in obtaining his trial record, which he claims is critical for advancing his appeal.
Last March, Jowie was sentenced to death by Judge Grace Nzioka after being found guilty of murdering businesswoman Monica Kimani.
Just two days after the verdict, he lodged a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal, challenging the entire ruling of the trial judge.
To move forward with his appeal, Jowie requires access to the trial record, which encompasses comprehensive details of the trial proceedings, the judge’s notes, the verdict, and any additional relevant documents essential for the appeal’s resolution.
His attorney, Andrew Muge, pointed out that almost a year has passed without the receipt of this necessary record. Despite repeated attempts to contact court administrators, Jowie’s legal team has yet to receive the materials they need.
His advocates have requested the court’s assistance, emphasizing that the trial record is indispensable for Jowie to take further action at the appellate level.
The lawyer representing Kimani’s family also echoed the importance of obtaining the record, while simultaneously urging the court to release some items still held in evidence.
However, Jowie’s attorney opposed the release of these items, citing concerns over their status as exhibits and their relevance to the appeal record.
The court has scheduled a follow-up mention for January 28 to check on the record’s progress.
Monica Kimani was tragically discovered murdered in her Lamuria Gardens home in Nairobi on September 19, 2018.
She was set to depart for Dubai the next day, but her body was found in a bathtub with severe injuries, particularly a slit throat.
During sentencing, Judge Nzioka noted the heinous nature of the crime, describing the brutality of the attack.
She referenced a doctor’s findings, confirming that Monica’s throat had been deeply cut, suggesting that her murderer had prior knowledge or training in such acts.
The judge characterized the murder as premeditated, intentional, and executed with malice.
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