Three men sentenced to death for killing robbery suspect

Three middle aged men have been sentenced to death by Homa Bay court for killing a robbery suspect.
Fredrick Agunga, Raphael Ouko and Michael Okal were found guilty of murdering Johana Omondi, their village mate, in connection with robbery with violence.
The prosecution informed the court that the three murdered Omondi on May 17, 2014 at Ngere Village, West Kanyada Location in Homa Bay Sub County contrary to the penal code.
Omondi was killed for allegedly attempting to break into Agunga's house violently at about 8.00pm.
The deceased's neighbour, Elizabeth Adhola testified that she saw the deceased being killed in her compound.
"On the fateful evening, I heard some noise in my home compound. When I got out, saw them hitting Omondi until he died," said Adhola.
Area Chief Kennedy Ochieng' testified that on the fateful evening, he got a phone call from Agunga that the deceased had entered his house with intention to steal.
"He said Omondi wanted to steal from his house but when he raised an alarm, he ran and hid in a nearby sugarcane plantation. But a few minutes later, I was called by Elizabeth's husband that the suspect had been killed in his home," said Ochieng'.
According to a postmortem report produced by Homa Bay county referral hospital Senior Medical Officer Dr Nichodemus Odundo, the deceased died of injuries he sustained during the attack.
"The accused 's body had nine cut wounds and his skull was seriously fractured. These injuries could have caused his death," said Dr Odundo.
The convicts pleaded not guilty saying they were not present at the scene when the deceased was being lynched.
They were accused with other two suspects namely Denish Otiego,and Kephas Aluoch who were acquitted.
Lady Justice Hellen Omondi said the evidence adduced by the eight witnesses convinced the court that the three committed the offence.
"I therefore find the three guilty and sentence them accordingly," said Justice Omondi.
They were given 14 days to appeal.