Briton accused of murder to spend more days in custody

 British national Richard David Alden. Alden will now have to spend more time in custody pending determination of his bail application. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

A British national Richard David Alden who has been charged with murder will now have to spend more time in custody pending determination of his bail application.

Justice Jessie Lessit after hearing the submissions from defense and prosecution yesterday said she will rule on whether to release the accused on bail on June 30.

Through lawyer Cliff Ombeta, the accused requested the court to grant him bail claiming that he has a wife and three children who depend on him.

"I will avail myself before the court as of when I am required to do so until the matter is concluded," said Alden

Prosecuting Counsel Catherine Mwaniki urged the court to remand the accused until evidence of potential witnesses is secured and the murder trial concluded.

"The Investigation Officers observed a fresh blood on the floor and other items in the bedroom at the scene of crime on June 4, 2016,"said Mwaniki.

She added that a pistol that was loaded with 14 rounds of magazine was also recovered from the scene. Mwaniki added that the officers recovered a firearm certificate bearing the names of the accused.

She added that the postmortem conducted on June 5, 2016 indicated that the deceased died due to severe chest and neck injuries due to single gunshot.

The postmortem also indicated that the deceased could not have had shot herself because of the position of the wound.

"The evidence revealed that the fired cartridge and bullet recovered from that scene belonged to the accused," said Mwaniki.

She added that the family of the deceased is still at pains trying to comprehend what happened and releasing the accused will lead to public disturbance.

Lawyer Ombeta  argued that his  client will not interfere with the witnesses in any matter and any investigations that should be carried out.

According to him, Alden mother is 86 years old and is unwell and she depends on him to cater for all her medical bills.

"If am not granted bail or bond she will have no one to help her as she is fully dependent on me," said Alden in court documents.

He claims that he is a bread winner of his family and all his dependents stand to suffer irreparably should the court fail to grant him bail.

"The offence of murder is bailable since it is an offense like any other," said Ombeta.

He added that the accused is not a flight risk and when the alleged incident happened, he took the deceased to hospital and even called the police.

The Briton claims that he shall attend all court mentions and hearings as of when required to do so by the court.

"I shall abide by all conditions that shall be set by this court and shall not interfere with the witnesses in this matter or any investigations that should be carried out," he says.

He prays that the court releases him on bail pending the conclusion of his trial as his family solely depends on him and he will suffer if she continues to be detained.

The accused was arrested after he allegedly shot dead a woman at his Karen home, this came after he told police a woman he was with for the better part of Saturday had shot herself dead in his house.

Alden and the woman identified as Grace Wangechi, 42 have been running an athletics agency, which procured athletes to compete internationally, police revealed.

He has been in the country since 2015 and his work permit was to expire next year December. It is alleged that he is a licensed gun holder.