Murder suspect says he isn’t ready for trial

A case in which a police officer is charged with murder failed to kick off in Malindi yesterday after the officer said he was not ready to proceed.

Mohamed Salim is accused of murdering Mercy Njeri in Mpeketoni, Lamu on January 17 this year after he hit her with a gun causing her to lapse into a coma from which she never awoke.

Yesterday, Mr Salim told Malindi Resident Judge Said Chitembwe that he was not ready to proceed with the hearing as he had not been given witness statements.

But Salim’s lawyer James Mouko, who was also in court, said he was ready to proceed with the matter.

The judge ultimately adjourned the case in order to give the suspect and his lawyer time to agree on the way forward.

The prosecution submitted it was ready to go on with the hearing.

Brought witnesses

The prosecution had already brought witnesses, including a rider who was carrying the deceased when the officer allegedly hit her with his gun.

Also in court was the motorbike the deceased was riding on.

Justice Chitembwe set the hearing to run from July 7 through to July 9 and July 29 this year.